CHAPTER 3: Kanryu and Raijuta

Kenshin had just finished off Hannya, a member of the Onniwaban Group. He, Sano, Kaoru, and Yahiko all rushed into the next room where a group of men holding wooden swords was waiting.

"We can take them, Kenshin! You and Sano go on ahead!" Kaoru said, holding up her own bokken.

"You sure? Okay, Miss Kaoru, you and Yahiko stay here and watch our backs!" Kenshin smiled and ran upstairs with Sano at his heels. They opened the door and found a tall man with a long white overcoat waiting for them.

"Shinomori Aoshi, leader of the Onniwaban Group!" Kenshin exclaimed.

"I suggest you leave now," Aoshi said calmly.

"Is there anyway we can avoid battle? Give up Miss Megumi!" Kenshin demanded.

"No. If you want to get to the girl then you'll have to defeat me," Aoshi said.

"Hey, Kenshin, let me take this guy!" Sano said, ramming his fists together. Without waiting for an answer, he rushed at Aoshi. Aoshi easily sidestepped to avoid the attack.

"I see..." Aoshi mumbled, then dodged another of Sano's punches. He hit Sano hard and sent him flying to the other side of the room. "You are worthless to me. My opponent right now is the Battousai." Aoshi said to the fallen Sano, without changing his icy look.

"SANO!" Kenshin cried. Just then, Yahiko and Kaoru ran in.

"Sano!" they both gasped. Kenshin unsheathed his sword. He and Aoshi began to battle.

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Saito and Tokio walked into the mansion and found themselves in a long, drafty hallway. A man was lying on the ground on the left side of the hall a little deeper into the house.

"Looks like the Battousai was already here," Saito muttered. He took out a cigarette, but put it away when he saw Tokio's reprimanding look.

"So, what are we doing here?" Tokio asked.

"Looking for the Battousai. Come, let's continue..." he walked down the hallway, which led them into a brighter, warmer room. He saw many men lying on the floor, moaning about how they'd been beaten by a girl and a kid. Saito grabbed one by the collar of his shirt.

"Wh-wh-what do you want?!" the man gasped. He looked into Saito's cold, wolf-like, amber eyes and shivered.

"Was there a man with long red hair and a cross shaped scar on his left cheek?" Saito growled at the man.

"Y-y-yes. There... there was!" the man was really shaking now. "They went up the stairs and into t-t-t-that door." Saito dropped him onto the floor.

"Thank you," Saito said dryly. He walked up the stairs, Tokio following close behind. He found the door open.

"What's going on in there?" Tokio whispered. Saito looked in.

"The Battousai is fighting with Shinomori like I expected. It appears that Shinomori has the upper hand, however," Saito sighed. "Battousai is getting a lot weaker, I must say." He walked away from the door and down the stairs.

"Where are we going?" Tokio asked, following her husband.

"To tell the police to clean up around here. It appears that Battousai has everything under control. He won't need the police to step in, but I don't think he will want to be on clean up duty," Saito said. He walked out of the mansion with Tokio on his heels.

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Kenshin grabbed Aoshi's kodachi out of his hand and slammed the handle onto his throat. Aoshi choked and they both flew backward, landing on their backs.

"KENSHIN!" Kaoru wailed. She, Sano and Yahiko ran over to the fallen red head.

"Kenshin, are you okay?" Sano asked.

"Yes." Kenshin said, getting up, but then went swirlyeyed. "Actually I'm not so sure...ORO! @_@;"

"Aw come on, Kenshin, are you or aren't you?!" Yahiko asked.

"Is he going to be okay?" Kaoru said, gesturing toward Aoshi.

"Yes, though he'll have trouble breathing for a while. Now let's find Miss Megumi," Kenshin replied. Just then, Aoshi got up.

"Battousai..." Aoshi coughed. The other four members of the Onniwaban Group were standing in the doorway behind him. "Finish me off."

"LEADER!" the others cried, but Aoshi held up a hand.

"It's okay," he said. "Please, Battousai. Finish me off. If you don't, I promise I'll keep coming after you to fight for as long as I can."

"That's fine with me, Aoshi, but it will only be between you and me. You won't get anyone else involved in this, okay?" Kenshin asked. Aoshi stayed silent. Suddenly, Kanryu burst through the door, shooting at the Onniwaban Group and the Kenshingumi and laughing like a maniac.

"Kanryu!" Kenshin cried.

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Saito and the other police officers ran into the mansion and found four bloodstains on the floor where Kenshin and Aoshi fought. They arrested Kanryu and searched the house for any clues to what happened. All they found was a dagger in the top room of the mansion.

"What could this mean, Mr. Fujita?" one of the police officers asked.

"Shinomori took the bodies of his friends away. Himura got Takani, so all is right, I guess," he shrugged. "My work here is done. I'm going home. Tokio will be waiting." He walked out.

Tokio was pouring the soup and noodles into the bowls when Saito arrived home. Quickly, she put them on the table and brought out the tea and cups.

"How was it?" Tokio asked as she helped him take off his jacket.

"Ahous. They don't know anything," Saito grumbled. "But I have a feeling that I'll have to fight the Battousai himself soon." Tokio stayed silent. She threw his jacket onto a hook and sat down at the table. Saito followed her and also sat down.

"When?" she asked, after swallowing a mouthful of noodles.

"I'm not sure. I think I'll watch him a little longer and then I'll decide," Saito said. He drank his tea.

"Oh. Okay," Tokio said. He noticed the tone of her voice was different and her face was less lively. He reached across the table and brought her face up so her eyes met his.

"Tokio? What's wrong?" Saito asked. "I told you that if you wanted someone to be there all the time then you married the wrong man."

"I didn't marry the wrong man... I love you... it's just that..." she touched his hand gently. "I haven't felt you touch me in such a long time."

"Tokio..." Saito stood and walked over to her. He sat down and brought her into his lap. She buried her face in his black T-shirt. He put his hand on the back of her head.

"Hajime..." she whispered. She pulled him into a kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. After the kiss ended, he stood up and pulled her up too.

"I'm going to bed," he said. He picked up his bowl that was half full and put it in the kitchen with his cup and chopsticks. She also put her bowl into the kitchen with her cup and chopsticks and followed him to bed. She watched him change into more casual clothes, but before he could put his shirt on, she ran over and hugged him to her.

"When will you be leaving?" she asked. "For Kyoto, I mean."

"After I get Battousai's answer," Saito replied, hugging her back. "I'll come back, though. Don't worry about me." He looked into her eyes, but they were filled with tears.

"I feel like I hardly know you anymore, now that you're Fujita Goro," Tokio sniffed.

"I'm not Fujita Goro. I'll always be who I am, Saito Hajime, the Wolf of Mibu," Saito said. He pushed her into bed. "Now why don't we go to sleep. I still have a lot to do, but I think I can get it done tomorrow so that you won't have to sleep alone for another night." Saito pulled his shirt over his head and then sat against the wall, next to his katana.

"Aren't you going to sleep?" Tokio asked.

"Yes, but I have to wake up soon anyway, so there isn't any point in getting comfortable," Saito replied, yawning. "Anyway, good night." He blew out the lantern and shadowed them in the darkness of the night. He closed his eyes and tried to get to sleep, but then felt Tokio pull his arms from across his chest and wrap them around herself. She curled up in his lap. He smiled into the darkness, then fell asleep, listening to her soft breathing.

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A few months after the incident with Kanryu, Saito received a message from one of the police officials. He was needed to fight against a man named Raijuta who was planning to create a kingdom separate from Japan. Saito also heard that Himura Kenshin was there and was planning to fight against Raijuta. He left Tokio at home and went to fight. When he arrived, the fighting had already begun.

"Mr. Yamagata, what's going on?" Saito asked.

"Raijuta wants to fight against the police, so he can prove his strength. We have already lost too many men, but Himura says that he will fight. In case Himura fails, we need backup," Yamagata said.

"I see..." Saito muttered. "When will Himura be fighting?"

"He should be fighting now, but... we really don't know," Yamagata replied.

"Right, thank you," Saito said, picking up his katana. "I'll see if he's started fighting yet." He walked out the door and soon found Kenshin fighting against Raijuta in the forest. He watched secretly from the bushes and saw Kenshin dodge many of Raijuta's slow attacks. Then, just as Kenshin jumped to the side, he was hit by an attack. It left a small cut on his wrist.

"Ahou." Saito muttered. "He definitely is a lot weaker than he was during the Bakumatsu." Feeling disappointed in the man he thought was quite strong, Saito returned to the police and told them that he wouldn't be needed. Then he left, knowing what he must do.

A/N: I know, this one is kind of rushed and not too good, but... I can't help it! Until something good happens, I can't make things interesting! Sorry...

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MissBehavin: Thank you for reviewing my story. Kyoto is coming up within the next tow to three chapters, I think, so you'll see Tokio's reaction soon! Thanks again!