The Mate of the Wolf of Mibu

CHAPTER 1: Her name is Fujita Tokio

Fujita Tokio. That is my name now. Tokio thought as she watched her husband eat his dinner. Hers was left, forgotten on the table.

"Hajime?" Tokio asked her husband. He stopped eating.

"Yes?"

"Why must you change your name? Does the government know who and where you are?"

"Yes, the Meiji Government knows who I am, and where I am. They are looking to kill former members of the Shinsengumi and I do not want to be killed," he said. "I can no longer be called Saito Hajime. I must go by Fujita Goro."

"I see." she said, trying to make sense of what her husband was saying. "What about me? Won't they know who I am?"

"I don't know." Saito said, finishing his soup. "But to be sure that they won't know... I'm going to become a police officer for them. I have to go out, Tokio. Don't wait for me." He stood up and pushed his sheathed katana into his belt.

"Hajime," Tokio said, also standing. "Please be careful." She gave him a kiss before he walked out the door.

"I will, but you must also," Saito said. He walked down the street, away from his wife.

"Fujita Tokio," Tokio said, sounding it out. "Hm... I don't think I'll ever get used to it." She picked up the bowls on the table and put them in the kitchen. She began to wash them in a basin.

"Fujita Tokio," she said again, trying to connect with her new identity. "Fujita Tokio." She calmed herself by busying her hands. Once all of the household chores were done, she felt lost.

"I guess I'll go to the market and buy tomorrow's breakfast," Tokio mumbled to herself, slipping her feet into her sandals. It was still early, after all. She walked out of the house, locking the door after her. Tokio studied her steps, concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other. Finally, she arrived at the market. There were many people selling and buying and just looking. Suddenly, she saw a flash of bright red hair.

"Battousai," she breathed. She followed it, seeing the cross-shaped scar on his left cheek.

"What's for dinner tonight, Miss Kaoru?" Battousai asked a woman walking next to him.

"Let's just get some tofu and we can use the vegetables from the garden," the woman who must've been Kaoru said.

"Okay," Battousai replied, smiling. Tokio inched closer, then, summoning all her courage, walked over and stood next to him, pretending to look at the vegetables.

"Kenshin," Kaoru's voice said. "Who is that?" Tokio looked up and saw the Battousai looking into her eyes. She held back a scream.

"Can I help you?" she asked as calmly as she could.

"What is your name?" Battousai asked.

"S..." Tokio began, but then remembered her new name. "Fujita Tokio."

"Oh. Excuse me, I just thought you were someone else for a moment..." the Battousai smiled warmly at her. Then, he turned and walked away with the woman named Kaoru. Tokio watched him until he turned the corner. She turned around to leave, but felt a hand on her shoulder. Tokio whirled around, but then recognized the face.

"Haji- er... Goro?" Tokio gasped. She stared at her husband for a moment. He looked so much different in a police suit.

"What are you doing out here, Tokio?" Saito asked.

"Getting your breakfast for tomorrow. What are you wearing?" she asked.

"I told you I was becoming a police officer," Saito said. "I'll walk you home."

"I saw Battousai," Tokio blurted.

"And...?" Saito's eyes narrowed.

"He was with a woman. I stood next to him and he asked me my name and I told him I was Fujita Tokio," Tokio's words flew out of her mouth.

"Baka. Why'd you go stand next to him, Tokio?" Saito snapped. He sighed. "Oh well, at least I we know he's still around, though I heard he's taken to wandering. Wonder why he's still here... you said he has a woman?"

"Yes," Tokio said.

"I see...well I'd better get you home and then get back to patrolling before people begin to get suspicious," Saito said. Tokio rushed over to a stand and bought a few items quickly before following her husband home.

A/N: I know, it's kind of not interesting yet, but I promise it will! (I think...) Anyway, thank you all for your encouragement on all of my previous stories!

MissBehavin: Thank you so much for reviewing my other stories! I am glad that you liked it because you are such a good writer! I read some of our other stories and I thought that they were really good. Anyway, thank you!

Stungun Millie: Here's the sequel for you! I hope you like it...

Koneko: GIVE ME MY KEYBOARD BACK! ^_^