Chapter One: Never Sleep with the Enemy
The man watched me dispassionately, but I could sense the feral smirk threatening to curl across his mouth. His slanted, golden eyes locked onto me and I really wanted to get out of there. Out of all the people to meet…
"Hajime."
Missus Tokio set down her bags and stared at him. He started back nonplussed. A huge, furry dog bounded around the horse. He romped around her feet happily making small whining noises. She reached down and cupped his long muzzle in her hand tugging gently. He stilled instantly and I realized that the beast wasn't a dog. It was a wolf.
Edging away slowly I was ready to leave this town never mind that it was getting dark and chilly. Anything had to be better than being stuck in a small mining town with those two and their pet monster.
The wolf noticed me and growled lowly. His mustard colored eyes locked on me warningly while his lip curled up. I froze. He stopped growling. I moved. He started again. I may not speak wolf, but it was fairly clear what he expected.
"Did you miss me?" Tokio asked not even bothering to call off her large canine. If I didn't know better I would think I was being used. There was no doubt in my mind that she knew who I was. Saitou looked at her levelly and I winced. The man could say something. Apparently she shared my thought and said coolly, "I see."
"Mister Himura saved my life today. I was hoping to invite him to dinner dear husband. You would not have any objections would you?"
Okay, so I was being used.
Saitou said nothing, but I got the feeling if he could get away with it his lip would be curled like the wolf's. Instead he mounted up on the bay and waited. I guess that was approval. Maybe silent disapproval? Or, do whatever the hell you want bitchy woman? I didn't know and I most certainly didn't want to go to dinner.
"Missus Tokio, I wouldn't want to intrude, that I wouldn't." I began and she gave me a harsh glare. My mouth snapped shut on it's own accord. "But dinner would be nice, that it would." Traitorous mouth.
"I am afraid it will not be fancy, seeing as my husband cooked, however, it will be filling." She informed me. I stared blankly still stuck on two words; husband and cooked.
Saitou stared at me. Daring me to make a comment. Daring me so he would have a reason to maim his wife's not-so-welcome guest.
"I only brought two horses." He said informed her, deadpan.
Missus Tokio smiled. Not the kind of smile that makes you feel good. More the kind that scares you and makes you wonder what sort of torture the wearer has planned. She grabbed the reins to the sorrel gelding and turned to me, "Mister Himura can ride behind me on Buck."
I swear I heard Saitou's jaw crack he ground his teeth together so hard.
"This unworthy one…" I began hoping to dissuade her of such a crazy notion. I'd rather run than face the wrath of Hajime Saitou for touching his wife. Before I could finish my sentence she had grabbed my arm in a firm, hard grip and thrown me up on the poor horse. The gelding hardly flinched. She swung up in front of me.
The ride was swift and exceedingly uncomfortable. It probably would have been easier if I leaned into the woman's back, but instead I hung on with a death grip to the saddle beneath me. The gelding trotted quite unaware that he was seriously killing my rump with each jar. Not to mention other things.
We arrived at a moderately nice house a mile or so on the outskirts of town. Everything out front was neat and tidy. A large wooden corral bordered the house and a good-sized barn backed it. A dozen or so horses were standing at the gate with their ears pricked forward.
Missus Tokio slid out of the saddle gathering the sorrel's reins and patting his neck. Saitou dismounted stiffly handing her the reins to his blood bay stallion. The beast made an attempt on my leg with his teeth. Was every one here trying to harm me?
"Mister Himura, I must rub down the horses and feed them. Please follow my husband inside and allow him to make you at home."
Allow him to do what? I didn't think taxidermy was something I desired having done to me. This is the huge buck that I shot, lovely set of antlers wouldn't you say? There's the bear I wrestled bare handed and killed with my trusty hunting knife. And here we have my greatest trophy of them all: A stuffed ex-manslayer the Battousai.
"Follow me." He growled. I liked his smirk much better. When he smirked it usually meant he was in good humor, or feeling incredibly sadistic. At the moment he was pissed enough to bite through a post.
"I see you have made a nice home Saitou." I said mildly. "And you have such a lovely wife. You must be proud."
He stared at me as if I had gone stark raving mad, "You want the bitch?"
"Oro! This unworthy one was saying no such thing!"
"Talking about me again Hajime?" Tokio asked. His sharp eyes slid across the hem of her dress taking in the blood spatters. She followed his gaze, "Nothing to worry about. It is not mine."
I suddenly wanted to melt into the wall or at least sink into the ground.
Dinner was silent and uneventful. The food was actually quite nice although I refrained from saying so. A man had his pride after all and Saitou's had already been sorely tested this evening.
"Hajime, would you escort Mister Himura to town?"
Silence met her request.
"Please refrain from acting like a five year old in a snit. Mister Himura is our guest." She put special emphasis on our and I cringed.
Oh boy, if looks could kill I'd be in hell over a fire pit turning on a spit.
"Fine. I will escort the Battousai to town." Saitou agreed. Lifting a cynical eyebrow I wondered just how smart it would be to ride next to him in the dark. After all, he was trying to kill me. Or at least last time I checked. I found myself dutifully following the couple out onto the porch.
Tokio leaned down a brushed her lips against mine. Frozen, I felt like a trapped animal. Should I relax? Be nonchalant about it. Like beautiful woman who just happen to be my rival's wife kissed me everyday. Or should I push her away? Risk the wrath of a scorned woman. No thank you. Although I wasn't much for company I wasn't about to risk that again. I learned my lesson the first time. Learned it well. There was always the third option. Pretend to be gay.
I was roughly jerked away. Feeling the steel grip on my scruff I wished I were taller. Tokio smiled sweetly. Not at me, at Saitou. I felt the grip squeeze me tighter. If he got anymore irate something would bust: My arm or his blood vessel.
"Safe trip Mister Himura. I hope you find whatever you are searching for."
"Thank you for dinner. This unworthy one is grateful." No, not really. Except for the food it was a complete disaster.
"Come on." The lean man growled dropping me. Obediently I heeled like a whipped dog. I just kissed his wife. Well, sort of. She actually kissed me and it was very chaste, but I don't think that mattered much in his opinion. Guilt gnawed at me, but Battousai, who enjoyed my misery, was gloating about getting one up on the wolf.
He led me to the horses, "Pick one."
"Oro!" I didn't know a damn thing about those things. With my luck I'd pick an absolutely vicious one that would buck me off and snap my neck. Spotting the sorrel I'd ridden over on I decided that was a safe bet. He hadn't tried to kill me last time. Timidly I approached him. "Good boy. Nice boy. You would like to give me a ride, that you would."
I could feel Saitou's eyes boring a hole in my back. Halfway turning I noted the small smirk. Imminent danger.
With blinding speed the horse lashed out with his hind hooves. Only my god-like speed save me from being decapitated. Even so something hard smashed into my shoulder. The iron shoe glanced off my collarbone numbing my whole body. Who said horseshoes were lucky? Well, now I'd have a nice imprint of one to carry around with me.
"Wrong choice Battousai." Clearly I was at his mercy now. Time to humble up and beg for help.
"This unworthy one would like your assistance, that he would." All right you heartless bastard, give me a break. Be mad at your wife, not me.
"Having trouble." He pressured. Somewhere in the time I was getting mauled he had saddled his red horse and was leaning out of the saddle in amusement. His golden eyes glinted maliciously in the dark. "Tokio's horse only serves one rider. I suggest you take the pony sleeping in the shed. You might be able to handle her."
Grumbling under my breath only half sure that the uncanny man's hearing couldn't reach me I poked the beast. It stood up and I realized it was really small. I don't know much about equinines, but this thing was tiny. It's head reached my chest. The beast raised her head and yawned in my face.
"This unworthy one thinks that this pony may be too small." I called out.
"Just hurry up. I would like to be home again before sunrise."
Somehow I just couldn't see it working out. I was short, but really. My feet would be dragging on the ground. This beast was child sized. She sniffed me and I eyed her wondering how many teeth she had.
"Hajime, you have not left yet?" Tokio called from the porch.
"Battousai is having problems choosing a horse to fit him." Did I hear glee in the wolf's voice?
"Then help him. Mister Himura, if you can hear me, just saddle up the gray mare."
Spotting the afore mentioned creature I realized why she was gray. White crusted her muzzle and her half-shut eyes were filmy. She was swayback. So I wasn't the best horseman! I didn't need an armchair however. I could manage to hold on once I got up. Or at least I think I could.
At the moment riding up behind Saitou was beginning to look appealing.
The darkness engulfed us the moment we stepped out of the ranch's warm light. I listened to the steady clip-clop of the horses' hooves on the hard packed ground. The gray kind of shambled along, but I was just happy to be on my way out. Town couldn't be worse than this.
Facts
-Set 11 years after the Civil War ended (1876)
-The town is in Colorado, somewhere close to Colorado Springs
- In 1871 Denver is connected to the national railroad system
Author's Note: I've never written a western, the last western I watched was Four for Texas, and I've been digging up my Grandmother's Louis L'mour books (I was reading one too until I got ahold of Harry Potter. Damn that Umbridge woman!). I'm going to *try* to keep everyone in character (even Kenny, on the outside anyway. He can be a smart ass in his mind :D ) Since I don't really know Tokio's persona I made one up, don't kill me. I'm also trying this thing call humor. I'm as good at humor as I am romance (meaning I can't make you choke on fluff or drown in WAFF).
Reviewers:
Fyyrrose: You shut up -.-;;
The Weird One2: This should be an interesting experience for me O__O;; I don't think I've seen any other RK westerns *furrows brow*
MissBehavin: Well I reckon ya should just plunk down right there... okay, you do the western talk far better than I ^^, but here's your wish granted. Another fun chapter, with lots of Saitou no less.
The man watched me dispassionately, but I could sense the feral smirk threatening to curl across his mouth. His slanted, golden eyes locked onto me and I really wanted to get out of there. Out of all the people to meet…
"Hajime."
Missus Tokio set down her bags and stared at him. He started back nonplussed. A huge, furry dog bounded around the horse. He romped around her feet happily making small whining noises. She reached down and cupped his long muzzle in her hand tugging gently. He stilled instantly and I realized that the beast wasn't a dog. It was a wolf.
Edging away slowly I was ready to leave this town never mind that it was getting dark and chilly. Anything had to be better than being stuck in a small mining town with those two and their pet monster.
The wolf noticed me and growled lowly. His mustard colored eyes locked on me warningly while his lip curled up. I froze. He stopped growling. I moved. He started again. I may not speak wolf, but it was fairly clear what he expected.
"Did you miss me?" Tokio asked not even bothering to call off her large canine. If I didn't know better I would think I was being used. There was no doubt in my mind that she knew who I was. Saitou looked at her levelly and I winced. The man could say something. Apparently she shared my thought and said coolly, "I see."
"Mister Himura saved my life today. I was hoping to invite him to dinner dear husband. You would not have any objections would you?"
Okay, so I was being used.
Saitou said nothing, but I got the feeling if he could get away with it his lip would be curled like the wolf's. Instead he mounted up on the bay and waited. I guess that was approval. Maybe silent disapproval? Or, do whatever the hell you want bitchy woman? I didn't know and I most certainly didn't want to go to dinner.
"Missus Tokio, I wouldn't want to intrude, that I wouldn't." I began and she gave me a harsh glare. My mouth snapped shut on it's own accord. "But dinner would be nice, that it would." Traitorous mouth.
"I am afraid it will not be fancy, seeing as my husband cooked, however, it will be filling." She informed me. I stared blankly still stuck on two words; husband and cooked.
Saitou stared at me. Daring me to make a comment. Daring me so he would have a reason to maim his wife's not-so-welcome guest.
"I only brought two horses." He said informed her, deadpan.
Missus Tokio smiled. Not the kind of smile that makes you feel good. More the kind that scares you and makes you wonder what sort of torture the wearer has planned. She grabbed the reins to the sorrel gelding and turned to me, "Mister Himura can ride behind me on Buck."
I swear I heard Saitou's jaw crack he ground his teeth together so hard.
"This unworthy one…" I began hoping to dissuade her of such a crazy notion. I'd rather run than face the wrath of Hajime Saitou for touching his wife. Before I could finish my sentence she had grabbed my arm in a firm, hard grip and thrown me up on the poor horse. The gelding hardly flinched. She swung up in front of me.
The ride was swift and exceedingly uncomfortable. It probably would have been easier if I leaned into the woman's back, but instead I hung on with a death grip to the saddle beneath me. The gelding trotted quite unaware that he was seriously killing my rump with each jar. Not to mention other things.
We arrived at a moderately nice house a mile or so on the outskirts of town. Everything out front was neat and tidy. A large wooden corral bordered the house and a good-sized barn backed it. A dozen or so horses were standing at the gate with their ears pricked forward.
Missus Tokio slid out of the saddle gathering the sorrel's reins and patting his neck. Saitou dismounted stiffly handing her the reins to his blood bay stallion. The beast made an attempt on my leg with his teeth. Was every one here trying to harm me?
"Mister Himura, I must rub down the horses and feed them. Please follow my husband inside and allow him to make you at home."
Allow him to do what? I didn't think taxidermy was something I desired having done to me. This is the huge buck that I shot, lovely set of antlers wouldn't you say? There's the bear I wrestled bare handed and killed with my trusty hunting knife. And here we have my greatest trophy of them all: A stuffed ex-manslayer the Battousai.
"Follow me." He growled. I liked his smirk much better. When he smirked it usually meant he was in good humor, or feeling incredibly sadistic. At the moment he was pissed enough to bite through a post.
"I see you have made a nice home Saitou." I said mildly. "And you have such a lovely wife. You must be proud."
He stared at me as if I had gone stark raving mad, "You want the bitch?"
"Oro! This unworthy one was saying no such thing!"
"Talking about me again Hajime?" Tokio asked. His sharp eyes slid across the hem of her dress taking in the blood spatters. She followed his gaze, "Nothing to worry about. It is not mine."
I suddenly wanted to melt into the wall or at least sink into the ground.
Dinner was silent and uneventful. The food was actually quite nice although I refrained from saying so. A man had his pride after all and Saitou's had already been sorely tested this evening.
"Hajime, would you escort Mister Himura to town?"
Silence met her request.
"Please refrain from acting like a five year old in a snit. Mister Himura is our guest." She put special emphasis on our and I cringed.
Oh boy, if looks could kill I'd be in hell over a fire pit turning on a spit.
"Fine. I will escort the Battousai to town." Saitou agreed. Lifting a cynical eyebrow I wondered just how smart it would be to ride next to him in the dark. After all, he was trying to kill me. Or at least last time I checked. I found myself dutifully following the couple out onto the porch.
Tokio leaned down a brushed her lips against mine. Frozen, I felt like a trapped animal. Should I relax? Be nonchalant about it. Like beautiful woman who just happen to be my rival's wife kissed me everyday. Or should I push her away? Risk the wrath of a scorned woman. No thank you. Although I wasn't much for company I wasn't about to risk that again. I learned my lesson the first time. Learned it well. There was always the third option. Pretend to be gay.
I was roughly jerked away. Feeling the steel grip on my scruff I wished I were taller. Tokio smiled sweetly. Not at me, at Saitou. I felt the grip squeeze me tighter. If he got anymore irate something would bust: My arm or his blood vessel.
"Safe trip Mister Himura. I hope you find whatever you are searching for."
"Thank you for dinner. This unworthy one is grateful." No, not really. Except for the food it was a complete disaster.
"Come on." The lean man growled dropping me. Obediently I heeled like a whipped dog. I just kissed his wife. Well, sort of. She actually kissed me and it was very chaste, but I don't think that mattered much in his opinion. Guilt gnawed at me, but Battousai, who enjoyed my misery, was gloating about getting one up on the wolf.
He led me to the horses, "Pick one."
"Oro!" I didn't know a damn thing about those things. With my luck I'd pick an absolutely vicious one that would buck me off and snap my neck. Spotting the sorrel I'd ridden over on I decided that was a safe bet. He hadn't tried to kill me last time. Timidly I approached him. "Good boy. Nice boy. You would like to give me a ride, that you would."
I could feel Saitou's eyes boring a hole in my back. Halfway turning I noted the small smirk. Imminent danger.
With blinding speed the horse lashed out with his hind hooves. Only my god-like speed save me from being decapitated. Even so something hard smashed into my shoulder. The iron shoe glanced off my collarbone numbing my whole body. Who said horseshoes were lucky? Well, now I'd have a nice imprint of one to carry around with me.
"Wrong choice Battousai." Clearly I was at his mercy now. Time to humble up and beg for help.
"This unworthy one would like your assistance, that he would." All right you heartless bastard, give me a break. Be mad at your wife, not me.
"Having trouble." He pressured. Somewhere in the time I was getting mauled he had saddled his red horse and was leaning out of the saddle in amusement. His golden eyes glinted maliciously in the dark. "Tokio's horse only serves one rider. I suggest you take the pony sleeping in the shed. You might be able to handle her."
Grumbling under my breath only half sure that the uncanny man's hearing couldn't reach me I poked the beast. It stood up and I realized it was really small. I don't know much about equinines, but this thing was tiny. It's head reached my chest. The beast raised her head and yawned in my face.
"This unworthy one thinks that this pony may be too small." I called out.
"Just hurry up. I would like to be home again before sunrise."
Somehow I just couldn't see it working out. I was short, but really. My feet would be dragging on the ground. This beast was child sized. She sniffed me and I eyed her wondering how many teeth she had.
"Hajime, you have not left yet?" Tokio called from the porch.
"Battousai is having problems choosing a horse to fit him." Did I hear glee in the wolf's voice?
"Then help him. Mister Himura, if you can hear me, just saddle up the gray mare."
Spotting the afore mentioned creature I realized why she was gray. White crusted her muzzle and her half-shut eyes were filmy. She was swayback. So I wasn't the best horseman! I didn't need an armchair however. I could manage to hold on once I got up. Or at least I think I could.
At the moment riding up behind Saitou was beginning to look appealing.
The darkness engulfed us the moment we stepped out of the ranch's warm light. I listened to the steady clip-clop of the horses' hooves on the hard packed ground. The gray kind of shambled along, but I was just happy to be on my way out. Town couldn't be worse than this.
Facts
-Set 11 years after the Civil War ended (1876)
-The town is in Colorado, somewhere close to Colorado Springs
- In 1871 Denver is connected to the national railroad system
Author's Note: I've never written a western, the last western I watched was Four for Texas, and I've been digging up my Grandmother's Louis L'mour books (I was reading one too until I got ahold of Harry Potter. Damn that Umbridge woman!). I'm going to *try* to keep everyone in character (even Kenny, on the outside anyway. He can be a smart ass in his mind :D ) Since I don't really know Tokio's persona I made one up, don't kill me. I'm also trying this thing call humor. I'm as good at humor as I am romance (meaning I can't make you choke on fluff or drown in WAFF).
Reviewers:
Fyyrrose: You shut up -.-;;
The Weird One2: This should be an interesting experience for me O__O;; I don't think I've seen any other RK westerns *furrows brow*
MissBehavin: Well I reckon ya should just plunk down right there... okay, you do the western talk far better than I ^^, but here's your wish granted. Another fun chapter, with lots of Saitou no less.
