WRITER'S NOTE: Yeah, everyone's a little off in this chapter, but oh well. I felt that it was time for the characters to open up a little. A lot of this was written in snippets because I constantly fell asleep in the middle of sentences. I hope it doesn't show.
ALSO: You guys think faster than I can post! A lot of the concerns you have SHOULD be dealt with in future chapters. The whole deal with the names…I was planning on having Tokio very formal when in front of large audiences but when one on one, she'd get a little personal. About Sano…I hope it explains itself in this chapter, but I had such a hard time writing it, I don't think the message came through. Don't worry. He doesn't hate Saitou. It's a little more complex than that.
REMINDER: While Kenshin is aware of almost everything that's going on, not everyone is. Tokio asked Megumi and Kaoru about the alcohol in the food, but they don't know why. She later told Kenshin the reason for her husband's outburst. (And he won't mention it to anyone else because he feels it would be a violation of confidence.) Sano is also still in the dark. So as far as everyone else is concerned, Saitou is still very cold to his wife and has the potential to be abusive.
I apologize for anything else stupid I will do in the future. (And I will do many!)
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The Wolf's Mission
"Water and Oil" (Gee, thanks Mara!)
By Leila Winters
Tokio was humming cheerfully the next morning as she wrung out a towel and hung it on the line to dry.
Both the Kamiya-girl and the wanderer had protested at Tokio's offer to do the laundry, but she had insisted on doing her part.
Today was a warmer day, but the air was still crisp and cool.
The humming stopped as she felt a presence behind her. "Good morning, Miss Megumi," Tokio said without turning around.
The doctor hid her surprise. "Tokio-san, I need to speak with you about an urgent matter."
The woman wrung out another towel as she replied, "What is it that you wanted to speak to me about?"
"You should be in bed," Megumi reprimanded sternly.
"I feel fine."
"Not only that," the doctor began angrily, "I saw those bruises. You can't hide those from a doctor!"
Tokio stopped in the middle of hanging an obi, yet she did not turn around.
"Would you like to tell me about it? If that husband of yours touches you one more time—"
Tokio rested her hands on the basin. "Miss Megumi, I hope you are not implying what I think you are."
Megumi's anger grew. "You women are all the same! When are you going to realize that you cannot change the way a man is?"
"Miss Megumi, I know you mean well, but you are mistaken. I love my husband. That is enough for me."
"But does he love you?"
The older woman turned around then. The look in her eyes gave no doubt about her convictions. "Yes," she said simply.
"So it's true," a voice from behind said. The two women turned to see Kenshin looking at them. "You are the woman that tamed the Wolf of Mibu."
"He was different when I married him."
The swordsman nodded. "Yes. So was I when I was younger. Tell me, Tokio-san, those men Saitou killed last night, was it for your sake?"
There was an instant when Tokio looked surprised, but her shock turned to understanding as she realized whom she was dealing with. "Would you not seek retribution for anyone causing harm to Miss Kaoru?" she asked, her voice at ease once more.
Kenshin nodded. "I do not believe I would be able to refrain from seeking my own form of vengeance."
Tokio smiled. "You see? You really are not much different from my husband."
"Don't you dare compare me to that hopeless wanderer." A familiar voice piped in. Everyone turned to see Saitou leaning against a pillar and holding a smoldering cigarette. "The Battousai, however, he might be fair game."
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The laundry finished and the day growing warmer, Yahiko found Tokio chopping vegetables for that night's supper. The woman turned around at his approach.
"Why, hello, Yahiko-chan."
The boy grit his teeth at the name, but managed to spit out civilly, "Actually, I'd prefer not to be called '-chan'."
The woman smiled apologetically. "Oh. I'm so sorry, Yahiko-san. Did you wish to speak with me?"
The boy looked embarrassed and scratched the back of his head. "Uh, yeah, actually. But it's stupid, never mind."
As he turned to go, Tokio's voice stopped him. "No, by all means, ask."
I feel like such an idiot…not about to bring up the previous night's viewing session, Yahiko asked the first thing that came into his head. "What animal are you?"
"Excuse me?"
Dammit…even more embarrassed, Yahiko flushed and continued on. "Well, I mean, Kaoru's an ugly raccoon, Megumi's a fox, and Misao's a…well, she's a—"
"Weasel,"
Tokio finished.
"Y-yes. So…what animal does Saitou see you as?" Feeling totally stupid, the boy discreetly
eyed the woman while he poked his index fingers together.
Tokio smiled kindly. "Why Yahiko-san, isn't it obvious? I'm a wolf."
The boy couldn't hide his surprise, "But-But Tokio-san…you don't seem anything like a wolf at all!"
"Oh? And why is that?"
Yahiko looked around nervously. "Well, uh, I mean, you're nothing like your husband."
"I see. And what sort of qualities make Hajime such a wolf?"
"He's, uh, wild and…" the boy paused, more than a little uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation, "…and ferocious and just plain…mean."
"Yahiko-san," Tokio began rather abruptly, "Have you ever seen a lone wolf howl at the moon? It has neither of those qualities. Imagine fire existing without water. There must be a counterbalance somewhere…however, once the wolf has found it's mate," Tokio said, handing Yahiko a rice cake, "it is something very special indeed."
Yahiko looked from the rice cake to the woman. "I'm not a little kid, you know!"
Tokio merely smiled. "Of course."
The boy was totally unprepared for the kiss that was planted on his forehead before he was ushered out of the kitchen. He stood there, kind of shocked, turning almost angry. But one look at the rice cake and the boy smirked. Oh what the hell. And he took a bite before walking away.
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It was the night before the operation would go under way when Kenshin found Saitou outside, his back to him and smoking a cigarette.
There was a powerful silence between both warriors as they sensed the other's presence, but did not acknowledge each other.
"I hope you don't plan on marrying that Kamiya-girl," a harsh voice cut through the cold night air.
Kenshin was taken slightly aback. "Excuse me?"
"Don't play games with me, Battousai. Tell me you haven't seen the way she looks at you. It's best for men like us to stay single."
This time, the swordsman replied resentfully. "That's easy for you to say, Saitou. You already have Tokio."
There was a heavy silence before the policeman replied, "But for how long?" He tossed away the cigarette then, and clenched his hands against a stone birdbath. "A man like me doesn't deserve Tokio. And yet…I can't bring myself to let her go."
"Perhaps you need her as much as she needs you."
The man snorted in response. "Not likely. I've got more of a chance of getting her killed. In my line of work, it's dangerous for Tokio to be seen with me. Irony is a strange thing, Battousai. When I'm not with Tokio, I can't stop thinking about her or the possibility that I could come home to find her dead or missing. I can barely work now."
There was another silence as Kenshin struggled with words.
"So if you want my advice, Battousai, stay away from marriage. Don' tell me you didn't learn your lesson the first time." With those biting words, Saitou turned and gave Kenshin a wicked smile.
The red-headed man was angry now. "When are you going to tell me what I must do?"
"All in good time. I can't have you backing out now."
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Kenshin was on his way to his room when he stopped in front of the guest bedroom. The light was on. "Tokio?" The man asked as he slid the screen open.
Her back was to him. She seemed not to have noticed his approach.
"Tokio?" he asked again.
The woman turned around. "Oh, Himura-san. I'm sorry. My mind was elsewhere."
"Is everything all right?"
She tried to give him a reassuring smile. "Everything's fine."
The concerned rurouni took a step closer. "You look troubled."
Tokio gave an unconvincing laugh. "Just night-before jitters, I suppose."
Kenshin's brow furrowed, but sensing that she wanted to be left alone, he exited after uttering a quiet apology.
Alone once again, Tokio ran her fingers along a wooden dresser. "How does one placate a wild beast?"
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After dinner, Megumi sat down with Sano to redo his bandages.
"Tomorrow is an important day, rooster-head. Don't you dare re-injure yourself until then."
"Gimme a break, will ya, Fox?"
There was a long silence as Megumi continued to wrap bandages on the fighter's hand. Finally, her eyes unreadable, the doctor spoke up.
"You know, Sanosuke…I don't want you getting hurt. I don't fully trust that policeman just yet."
"You don't have to tell me twice, Fox. Saitou hasn't changed a bit since I last fought him," Sano's fists got a little bit firmer at that.
Another silence followed. "I've been meaning to ask you about that. You've been acting funny ever since Saitou and Tokio arrived here. What's gotten into you?"
"It's—It's nothing, Fox."
"You used to admire the man!" Megumi shot at him.
Sanosuke slammed a palm on the ground, startling the poor doctor. "Let it go!" He ground out.
The woman gazed at him suspiciously. "Why are you acting like you hate him all of a sudden?"
Sano looked at the floor, his rage barely contained. "It's not fair."
"Sano…"
"It's not fair," the fighter repeated, his voice firmer. "For as long as I can remember, I've treated all the important women in my life with respect. I've given them the care that they deserve and then Saitou comes barging into the dojo—proving that he's human after all by bringing his wife. But do you know what I found out?"
Megumi waited silently for the fighter to continue. She had never seen him in such a state.
"He doesn't even care! He hasn't given his wife so much as a glance since they got here! A beautiful woman like Tokio is wasted on the likes of him! She needs someone who will love her back! …Not some cold-hearted bastard who leaves her alone all the time!"
"But she loves him."
There was a strained silence.
"That's the problem, isn't it?" Megumi asked softly.
"How is it possible for a man as impossible as Saitou to wind up with such a perfect woman? It's just not fair. Saitou will take her love and destroy it. She deserves better than that."
"Will you listen to yourself? You sound as whiney as Kaoru! Get your act together and be a man!"
"RRRG! Don't you understand? That man—"
"—found himself a woman who will love him! We should all be so lucky."
"He doesn't deserve her."
"That may be so, but they both had choices to make and they decided to stay together. They had opportunities to simply get away…but neither of them did."
"I just…you think there's hope for me, Fox?"
The doctor smiled sadly. "I'm sure you'll find yourself a nice woman to settle down with."
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Tokio took another look at her husband. He was busy looking over paperwork with his brows furrowed in concentration and his body hunched over. The woman smiled fondly at the insufferable man.
"Hajime, you are too tense."
The policeman stopped to look over at his wife.
"Come, husband. Allow me to ease your troubles."
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"Kenshin, we are going over there and demanding that he tell us what this mission's all about!"
"But Sano…"
The fighter continued stomping his way toward the guest bedroom with Kenshin trailing after him. The swordsman tried to calm the young man down, but it did not deter the impulsive one from grabbing the screen and sliding it halfway open.
"GAAH!" Sanosuke gave a startled cry at seeing what must have been the moment of the century.
"Oro?" Kenshin glanced nervously at his friend before Sano slid the screen the rest of the way open. Eyes bugged out. "ORO?"
There in the center of the room sat a shirtless Hajime Saitou, former captain of the third squad of the Shinsengumi, shooting daggers with his eyes at the two intruders. Behind him was his lovely wife, hands resting gently on her husband's powerful shoulders, obviously in mid-massage.
The policeman continued to glare. "Doesn't anyone know how to knock anymore?"
Trying to salvage some remnants of his dignity, Sanosuke attempted to move his mouth. "I j-just…well…uh…Ke-Ke-Ken-sh-sh-shin…was…"
"S-Sano was…"
Saitou's biting voice cut through the awkward moment. "This had better be important."
Sano managed to get out a high-pitched apology before he and Kenshin bid a hasty retreat.
Alone once more with his wife, the policeman eyed the door. "I hate this place."
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Panting and leaning against a wall far from the guest bedroom, Sano turned to look at the breathless rurouni beside him.
"Wh-what the hell was that, Kenshin??"
"I-I believe Tokio-san was…was—"
"You think he's gonna kill us?"
All the hitokiri could do was nod.
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The next evening, everyone was anxious to find out what adventures would be faced during the infiltration of Chief Arigotowa's base.
Saitou found Kenshin waiting for him. "Come, Battousai."
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Kaoru paced frantically around the dojo. A feeling of helplessness overtook her, just thinking of Kenshin going away again. He can't be leaving…he's just a wanderer…a wanderer who has a home now…
Her attention was wrenched yet again to reality as she heard several people walk into the room.
"Oro? Are you sure this is going to work, Saitou?"
Slowly, Kaoru turned around, fear creeping up her arm, forcing the small hairs to stand on end.
"AAAAIIIIIEEEE!!!"
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The sound of running feet beat heavily on the hardwood floor as Sano and Yahiko stumbled into the room. Megumi followed closely behind, slightly out of breath.
"What's going on?"
Everyone stopped whatever thoughts were filtering through their minds as everyone suddenly drew a blank. 'Lo and behold, Kenshin and Tokio stood in the center of the room…both dressed as prostitutes.
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WRITER'S NOTE: About the chapter title, I was thinking about what Mara said and I saw a whole lot of OCCness in this chapter. I just thought that this section would be the non-conformist/not-quite-fitting part of the story. (But boy, does it explain a lot.) So I thought that Water and Oil would be the PERFECT title. THANKS, MARA!
FEEDBACK: Tenshineko: I wasn't really planning on having them know, but it just made things all the more dramatic that way! I've got a pretty good idea on how to incorporate that into the story. Oops. I didn't mean for Sano to sound so hateful. I just wanted him to sound pissed. Oh yeah. Tokio's relationship is a tad complex with her husband. It's hard to explain. They know each other completely, so she knows that he not only is uncomfortable with public displays of affection, but also, her life would be in danger if she were to be seen in public with him in such a manner. She knows all this, but it doesn't stop her from WISHING it could be different. Does that help?
Tokio Saitou: Well, thanks! I'd think that with a screenname like that, you'd already be a hard core fan of the couple!
Takatome Ichido: Well, I find that a bunch of battle attack names distracts from the actual atmosphere of the scene. So I try not to worry about them. I'm afraid of inner monologues unless it's from a first point perspective. I think it tends to reveal a lot of OCCness in the process. Well, the couple was supposed to be in plain view, so he just kind of glanced over and saw the two smooching. Really not all that creepy. I don't know…I didn't think Kenshin was that OOC, but ah well. Ugh. Sayo. I hated that girl. (thought you should know!)
Val: Oh. Well, I feel obligated to explain this to you, given that misunderstandings often end very badly. Sano doesn't actually KNOW that Saitou was under the influence of alcohol during the fight with Kenshin. Neither does Megumi or Kaoru. Kenshin was the only one that Tokio told. So as far as everyone else is concerned, Saitou is still a heartless bastard. (But I'll try to work on the Sano thing. THANKS!)
JadeGoddess: I'm trying to get these out a lot faster, but sadly, I'm finding that I'm just REALLY lazy. ^_^
Mara: Well, my intention has been to have her call him "-san" in front of people but just plain "Hajime" when alone. This is just a habit she picked up while having to pretend that she has no husband in front of people that could potentially be his enemies. Thank you for leaving two reviews, just to clarify your statements. And it's nice to know that somebody is sticking to their guns (even when everyone else is overloading everything with Japanese from a Japanese Survival Booklet.). I think I have to agree with you. No one wants to have to figure out what characters are saying just to read the story. Your reviews are much appreciated!
Mibu no Ookami: Sano is going through a tough time right now. I don't know how much I actually want to reveal about that, but the guy is having issues with "relationships" in general. To Sano, Saitou is a lot like him, or something he'd like to be someday (kind of), and he sees him with this perfect life with the perfect wife. (while he himself is stuck with going to bars and getting drunk, with no woman to come home to.) And it's funny that you'd mention Blade of the Immortal. That man is creepy…But no prob with the lesson. A peek at the message I left Mara should clarify how I've been trying to portray things with the suffixes and whatnot. (I agree that a lot of that stuff is just frickin' awkward.)
Icerain: Well, with anyone else, Saitou would have filed a report, but this was his wife. A personal vendetta. He wasn't about to play legal games with anyone that would mess with his wife. (But I liked the sentimental moment myself! ^_^)
LadyJavert: Well, you've got some of it. She's a fighter of SORTS. I mean we know she's got speed, right? I'm not sure how far I want to take that, though. But thanks for reading!!!
