**Pechan does not own any of the Rurouni Kenshin franchise.
~ Goodbye? ~
Goro didn't have to undergo surgery or anything. There was nothing lodged under his skin. Doctor Iwata had come to her house in her panic. But, it took a bit longer, since Tokio couldn't calm down for the details. She helped Iwata in any way she could to revive her husband, who had fallen unconscious for the longest time. She bit her lip, nearly to a bleeding point.
Iwata applied some sort of balm to the large burn/puncture in Goro's left shoulder. It was so deep; he was amazed it was still bleeding. A wound like that should've emptied out hours ago. But since the burn had seared his skin, it sort of melted the wound shut. In a way, the burn had helped slow his bleeding quite a bit.
The cross on his chest wasn't as deep as Tokio had thought it to be. They cleaned that and wrapped it in gauze, until no red leaked through any more. The tender flesh on his right was different. Iwata had told Tokio from the looks of it, either he got smashed by a large object at high velocity, or he fell a great distance. But luckily, there were just the bruises and the gash. It was a near miracle his right shoulder hadn't shattered at all.
His legs were tricky, since the cuts were so close together. Tokio couldn't watch Iwata set to work on those. She sat outside her room, while Iwata stitched him up. She held her knees to her face, and curled herself in a ball. She was so swept up in what had happened, she didn't even change out of her yukata. It's pink crosses were smeared with her husband's blood, and the mud that trailed with it..........
It was drying up, and the mud was caking, and the red dulled into brown.
It seemed like hours before her door slid open.
Iwata was wiping his hands, as he looked down at her.
Tokio sat up, "Any good news, doc?"
Iwata sighed, "I did all I could, Mrs. Fujita, but I'm not-"
"Is Goro okay?!!" she gasped.
Iwata held up his hands, "Mrs. Fujita, listen to me. I am a doctor, but there are certain things I can't do-"
"Did the stitching go okay?!"
"Yes, it did. But for all that blood he lost...." Iwata shook his head, "I'm sorry, I wouldn't know how to replace that."
Tokio dropped her hands, "................ so that's it? My husband...... he bled to............ to........."
"He is still unconscious, Mrs. Fujita. I just wanted you to know, it will be a miracle if he ever wakes up."
Tokio dropped her face, and mumbled, "...... thanks anyways, doc............"
"Chin up, Mrs. Fujita. Amazing how he made it this far. The most you could do know is stay at his side. Keep him warm."
Tokio said nothing, as a tear dropped to the floor.
So that was it. Goro wanted her to stay home with him, because he knew he was dying. Since he had no time to explain, no time to heal, no more time at all....... he just wanted to stay with her.
She rubbed her eyes, as the doctor patted her shoulder, "Pray. It does help."
He left her, and she sniffed. She wasn't a highly religious person, so she didn't think any God would have listened to her now. She hadn't tried talking to them before. She slid opened the door, and looked at her husband.
He had bandages around his chest and shoulder. The doctor had him wearing only his pants. His black shirt was cut away, and his chest was bare. Save, for the bandages that were wrapped across his chest, stomach, and right shoulder. His gloves were taken off, and his shoes were gone. His white European socks stayed on, and through the slashed pants she could see bandages above his knees. He was mostly covered with bandages, but still............. seeing him shirtless, somewhat vulnerable, caused her heart to thump again.
In all her years with Goro, he never was one to show off his body to her. Partially because she blushed at the thought of him changing. Boy, that was awkward for a month. She eventually got over it. She felt another tear slide down her cheek. Memories. Pretty soon that is what Goro might become.......
She dropped to her knees, and sobbed. Well, here was her wish. She wished the bastard would die so she wouldn't have to kill him herself for revenge, and now it had happened. Funny how terrible she felt.
She peeked at her husband through her tears. He was a giant, his height usually towering over others. Forcing them to look up at him, no matter what. His very presence was the type that demanded respect. Though, in his act as Goro Fujita, Hajime Saito was usually the one that was humble to others. Goro was the most polite fool you could ever meet. But she knew that her husband was really another person. A person who would have preferred to ignore fools completely like the police commissioner than having to bow to their orders. But he would grin and bear it. Showing he had patience far enough to reach the gods.
Tokio had none of that. She was very short tempered when it came to things like her emotions. Goro himself sometimes had to help her keep them on a tight leash. He always knew what was best for her, even if she didn't believe him. Even if she didn't want to listen to him. But he knew what was best. And he would always give her the best.
She gulped her sobs, trying to be quiet. His eyes were closed, and his chest slowly rose and fell. She sat next to him, nudging a bit closer, so that her thigh brushed his right shoulder. She sniffed, and pulled her knees to her chin again. She wrapped her arms under her knees, placing her chin on her knees, and looked at him again. He looked like he was at peace. She never really saw her husband asleep. She was usually asleep before he did. How peaceful he looked..............
She felt tears brimming in her eyes again, and her vision went blurry. She buried her face in her legs, and whimpered so feebly, "G-Goro........................."
For a while, all that could be heard was Tokio's despair. She had lost the only man she ever hated and loved. And now she was lost without him. Into a few minutes of her cries, they were answered. She gasped, as she felt warm, gentle, and callused fingers gently curl around hers.
She popped her head up, and found Goro's hand resting on her's. She grabbed it, and looked at her husband. He was still laying ion rest, eyes still shut. Tokio gasped back her sob, and whispered, "Goro!! C-Can you..... can you hear me....? Goro............?"
His hand tightened around her's ever so slightly, and Tokio cried again, as she bent over her husband, not daring to touch him for his body was broken........
"Goro!!"
Finally, he made a noise, ".................quiet, I can't sleep.........."
She raised her hands, ready to smack him, as she laughed through her sob, "OH, YOU IDIOT!!! HERE I AM CRYING MY HEART OUT FOR YOU, AND ALL YOU CAN DO IS TELL ME TO SHUT UP?!!"
Goro smirked, and slowly opened his eyes, tilting his face to her direction, "Yes."
Tokio's bottom lip was trembling, as she smiled and cried at once. Oh God, she wanted to hug him, but it would hurt........
So instead, she pulled his hand back to her lips, and kept her lips there. He didn't mind, as his fingers did not slip away. She whispered, "Dork, I thought you were gonna leave me!! Geez, you know how horrible that woulda been?! How am I supposed to get money? I'm not used to working anymore!!" she giggled in her cries again, sheer joy mixed with her earlier despair.
"Yare yare, so lazy."
Now Tokio didn't care if it hurt him or not. She wrapped her arms around him, laying her cheek on his left shoulder, letting her body drake over his.
Of course, it stung. And he winced, but he knew she'd probably hit him if he told her to get off. So he would bear it for now. He slowly raised his hand to her shaking shoulder, and whispered, "I am hungry, you know."
She wiped away her tears, "Oh yeah, I'm sorry. I just had to, you know, GET A DOCTOR TO STITCH YOU BACK TOGETHER, JERK." She playfully slapped his 'good' shoulder. She pressed her lips against his, rising, "Here, I'll try to whip something up. Soba?"
"Do I eat anything else?" he smirked.
She giggled, and rose, "Okay, wait here. And don't die on me!!" she laughed, as she left him in the room. She came to the kitchen, and pried the lid off a container of soba noodles. She set some water to boil, when there was a knock on the front door.
She frowned, and rose. She wasn't expecting anybody tonight............
She walked to the door, and slid it open.
There was a tall man with straw blonde hair that reached for the sky. He wore fiery red and blue flames. Swords were strapped all over him, and he wore black leather gloves. One eye was closed, and he had a cock-sure smile. He grinned, "Howdy ma'am. I reckon you must be the lovely Mrs. Fujita, aren'cha?"
She frowned, "I am. And you are.......?"
"I just need to talk to your husband for a sec. Is he home right now?"
Tokio shook her head, "My husband isn't feeling well. And I don't like people with swords, so if you could just-"
He laughed, "Lady, you're husband wears a sword. Now listen, I'm from the police department, and he needs to report-"
Tokio grabbed the door, "You can tell the police station to shove it, since my husband isn't FEELING WELL. You can go back and tell them that yourself." And with that, she slammed the door.
But he quickly whipped out a sheathed sword, and stuck the door open. He still had that grin on his face, and Tokio spat, "GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE, BEFORE I CALL THE COPS ON YOU!!"
The blonde man merely snickered, and she heard the police commissioner's voice, "Mrs. Fujita!! This is urgent business!!"
She looked behind the blondie, and frowned. She hated that whiny little sh!t. Always bossing around her husband like he was an insolent whelp. "And I'm telling you, to go away. Listen, he's recovering from some minor surgery, and he's not going anywhere," she retorted.
"I didn't make that a request, Mrs. Fujita. This is strict government business, and unless you want to be held in contempt, you'll-"
WRACK!!
Tokio slapped him smartly across the face, "THROW ME IN JAIL, FOR ALL I CARE!! MY HUSBAND NEEDS REST, AND THE DAMN GOVERNMENT WILL BE THE DEATH OF HIM ONE DAY!!"
The police commissioner's eyes had widened, as he was jerked back, and he held his face in surprise.
The blonde chuckled, "Well, she sure is feisty, ain't she?"
"Shut up!! Who the hell are you, anyways?!!" demanded Tokio.
"You can call me Chou, if you like. I'm Goro Fujita's new partner in crime. I mean, justice. Or whatever fine line he happens to cross that day."
Tokio frowned, and raised her hand again, "I'll beat you both down before I hand over my hus-"
Suddenly, she felt a heavy hand clamp on her shoulder, and Goro came behind her, leaning against her for support. She looked up at him, "Goro!! You're not supposed to walk......"
Goro wasn't looking at her, but at the two men on his porch. He narrowed his eyes, "You allow this fool to become part of the police force?"
"He has his uses, Sa..... Fujita." He said, glancing at Tokio.
Tokio knew he was going to say Saito. And she glared poison to that idiot. Goro glanced down at her, "Tokio please go in the house. I have to speak with these men."
She gasped, and looked at him, "Goro, don't go anywhere! You're not fully healed-"
"I can be the judge whether I feel fine or not, Tokio. Now go inside."
That felt like a slap to the face, the way he pushed aside her concern. She frowned, biting her lip, and looked away, "Fine. I'll just go to bed."
She stomped away, as Goro watched her out of the corners of his eyes. After she was gone, Chou crossed his arms and laughed, "Trouble in paradise, Hajime?"
He ignored him, looking down at the commissioner, "You wanted the report now?"
"We had word that you had died, on the mission, since a police went to check up on the Oniwaban. Himura was there, and a man named Sagara vouched for your death."
Saito smirked, "Let him believe that if he wants."
"What of Shishio? Is he defeated?"
"He is dead, as is the woman he was around."
He frowned, "Saito, did you-"
"No, I did not kill the woman. She got herself killed." Here, Saito got into the lengthy details on how Yumi Komogata had died, and all the other deaths. Including that of Usui's. He explained everything, except for the fight with Aoshi Shinomori that the Battousai staged on himself (he was not there to bear witness to that) the report took longer than necessary, since he had to repeat some things.
Chou of the Juppongatana listened intently, his grin slightly faded. The commissioner nodded, "Ah, I see. Then there are no more of the Juppongatana?"
"The boy Soujiro will not be a problem. I was wondering where that monk went-"
"Anji turned himself in, along with Hoji," sneered Chou. "He's repentin' for his sins, I reckon."
"And what of that Hoji?" Saito asked Chou. This was the first time he actually spoke to him.
Chou shrugged, "I dunno what that guy's thinking. He's too distraught over Shishio's death. But he's bein' holed up in jail too."
"Kamatari?"
"He's healin', physically, that is. I think I oughta talk to him. Beat some sense into her head, ya know?"
Saito leaned against the door, his weight pushing strain onto his aching legs, "The other ones I'll ask later. As long as they are under control, you don't need me."
The commissioner coughed into his hand, and said, "Saito, I really do thank you for giving us your help in all of this. But I must ask for it again."
Saito said nothing, looking at him.
"We heard rumors of an uprising in Kobe, we need someone there to contain the violence to a minimum."
He needed a cigarette. He needed something to do with his hands, so he folded his arms over his chest.
Chou snickered again, "I don't reckon the Missus will like that news one bit."
Saito narrowed his eyes at him, "I would thank you not to comment on my wife, Chou."
He chuckled, "Sorry. Bein's how we gotta become pals, I thought I'd just break the ice first." He pointed to where Tokio had stood a minute ago, "She got a sister?"
"No," he replied flatly. He looked back at the commissioner, "Do I get a week?"
The commissioner nodded, "It is customary to have one, so naturally you do have-"
"Then do not bother me until the week is over." Saito stated, turning into his house. "If you do, I refuse the mission."
The commissioner frowned, "Saito!" he barked, "Don't forget the only reason you still live is because the government finds you useful!! Don't speak as if you have a say in this!"
"Or what will you do, kill me? Then who would you send to Kobe?" he narrowed his eyes at Chou, "That Juppongatana idiot?"
"Hey!!" exclaimed Chou.
"The Meiji government is weak, allowing one man like Shishio to cause such corruption in a short period of time. If they do silence me, you'll just crumble in my absence. In a way, the government should be thanking me for covering all it's loose ends," Saito smirked, "Correct?"
The commissioner sweated, frowning, "Where do you even begin to speak-"
"Go away, commissioner. I have one week to heal before Kobe, and I don't need annoyances like you pestering me."
The commissioner's temple popped, and he shouted again, "Saito!"
Saito hated it when he said his name, even though he knew Saito was trying to play low key. Plus, he didn't want Tokio to know that. He never wanted her to know him as the killer he is, that he hides form her. his amber eyes flecked dangerously in the moonlight, daring the commissioner to yell at him again.
Chou sweated, and the commissioner gulped, and stammered, "That'll b-be all, Sa-Fujita." He bowed.
Saito smirked, "Forgive me if I do not bow, the doctor said I should refrain from that if I should heal properly."
The commissioner said nothing, as he walked out the gates. Chou was left standing there, and he grinned, "So, it's true! Hajime Saito really lives a double life, don't he? Ain't that sweet. Coverin' up just to keep the little wife happy. Lucky fer me, I don't have a woman to whip me down to size."
Saito smirked, "Lucky you. It appears you'll be single the rest of your life."
"What was that?"
Saito looked up at the moon, then closed his eyes. Goro Fujita slowly slid the door, "Good night. I trust you can walk yourself out," and closed it shut. He looked at the dim hallways, wondering what kind of tantrum his wife would be in since he sent her away........
~ Goodbye? ~
Goro didn't have to undergo surgery or anything. There was nothing lodged under his skin. Doctor Iwata had come to her house in her panic. But, it took a bit longer, since Tokio couldn't calm down for the details. She helped Iwata in any way she could to revive her husband, who had fallen unconscious for the longest time. She bit her lip, nearly to a bleeding point.
Iwata applied some sort of balm to the large burn/puncture in Goro's left shoulder. It was so deep; he was amazed it was still bleeding. A wound like that should've emptied out hours ago. But since the burn had seared his skin, it sort of melted the wound shut. In a way, the burn had helped slow his bleeding quite a bit.
The cross on his chest wasn't as deep as Tokio had thought it to be. They cleaned that and wrapped it in gauze, until no red leaked through any more. The tender flesh on his right was different. Iwata had told Tokio from the looks of it, either he got smashed by a large object at high velocity, or he fell a great distance. But luckily, there were just the bruises and the gash. It was a near miracle his right shoulder hadn't shattered at all.
His legs were tricky, since the cuts were so close together. Tokio couldn't watch Iwata set to work on those. She sat outside her room, while Iwata stitched him up. She held her knees to her face, and curled herself in a ball. She was so swept up in what had happened, she didn't even change out of her yukata. It's pink crosses were smeared with her husband's blood, and the mud that trailed with it..........
It was drying up, and the mud was caking, and the red dulled into brown.
It seemed like hours before her door slid open.
Iwata was wiping his hands, as he looked down at her.
Tokio sat up, "Any good news, doc?"
Iwata sighed, "I did all I could, Mrs. Fujita, but I'm not-"
"Is Goro okay?!!" she gasped.
Iwata held up his hands, "Mrs. Fujita, listen to me. I am a doctor, but there are certain things I can't do-"
"Did the stitching go okay?!"
"Yes, it did. But for all that blood he lost...." Iwata shook his head, "I'm sorry, I wouldn't know how to replace that."
Tokio dropped her hands, "................ so that's it? My husband...... he bled to............ to........."
"He is still unconscious, Mrs. Fujita. I just wanted you to know, it will be a miracle if he ever wakes up."
Tokio dropped her face, and mumbled, "...... thanks anyways, doc............"
"Chin up, Mrs. Fujita. Amazing how he made it this far. The most you could do know is stay at his side. Keep him warm."
Tokio said nothing, as a tear dropped to the floor.
So that was it. Goro wanted her to stay home with him, because he knew he was dying. Since he had no time to explain, no time to heal, no more time at all....... he just wanted to stay with her.
She rubbed her eyes, as the doctor patted her shoulder, "Pray. It does help."
He left her, and she sniffed. She wasn't a highly religious person, so she didn't think any God would have listened to her now. She hadn't tried talking to them before. She slid opened the door, and looked at her husband.
He had bandages around his chest and shoulder. The doctor had him wearing only his pants. His black shirt was cut away, and his chest was bare. Save, for the bandages that were wrapped across his chest, stomach, and right shoulder. His gloves were taken off, and his shoes were gone. His white European socks stayed on, and through the slashed pants she could see bandages above his knees. He was mostly covered with bandages, but still............. seeing him shirtless, somewhat vulnerable, caused her heart to thump again.
In all her years with Goro, he never was one to show off his body to her. Partially because she blushed at the thought of him changing. Boy, that was awkward for a month. She eventually got over it. She felt another tear slide down her cheek. Memories. Pretty soon that is what Goro might become.......
She dropped to her knees, and sobbed. Well, here was her wish. She wished the bastard would die so she wouldn't have to kill him herself for revenge, and now it had happened. Funny how terrible she felt.
She peeked at her husband through her tears. He was a giant, his height usually towering over others. Forcing them to look up at him, no matter what. His very presence was the type that demanded respect. Though, in his act as Goro Fujita, Hajime Saito was usually the one that was humble to others. Goro was the most polite fool you could ever meet. But she knew that her husband was really another person. A person who would have preferred to ignore fools completely like the police commissioner than having to bow to their orders. But he would grin and bear it. Showing he had patience far enough to reach the gods.
Tokio had none of that. She was very short tempered when it came to things like her emotions. Goro himself sometimes had to help her keep them on a tight leash. He always knew what was best for her, even if she didn't believe him. Even if she didn't want to listen to him. But he knew what was best. And he would always give her the best.
She gulped her sobs, trying to be quiet. His eyes were closed, and his chest slowly rose and fell. She sat next to him, nudging a bit closer, so that her thigh brushed his right shoulder. She sniffed, and pulled her knees to her chin again. She wrapped her arms under her knees, placing her chin on her knees, and looked at him again. He looked like he was at peace. She never really saw her husband asleep. She was usually asleep before he did. How peaceful he looked..............
She felt tears brimming in her eyes again, and her vision went blurry. She buried her face in her legs, and whimpered so feebly, "G-Goro........................."
For a while, all that could be heard was Tokio's despair. She had lost the only man she ever hated and loved. And now she was lost without him. Into a few minutes of her cries, they were answered. She gasped, as she felt warm, gentle, and callused fingers gently curl around hers.
She popped her head up, and found Goro's hand resting on her's. She grabbed it, and looked at her husband. He was still laying ion rest, eyes still shut. Tokio gasped back her sob, and whispered, "Goro!! C-Can you..... can you hear me....? Goro............?"
His hand tightened around her's ever so slightly, and Tokio cried again, as she bent over her husband, not daring to touch him for his body was broken........
"Goro!!"
Finally, he made a noise, ".................quiet, I can't sleep.........."
She raised her hands, ready to smack him, as she laughed through her sob, "OH, YOU IDIOT!!! HERE I AM CRYING MY HEART OUT FOR YOU, AND ALL YOU CAN DO IS TELL ME TO SHUT UP?!!"
Goro smirked, and slowly opened his eyes, tilting his face to her direction, "Yes."
Tokio's bottom lip was trembling, as she smiled and cried at once. Oh God, she wanted to hug him, but it would hurt........
So instead, she pulled his hand back to her lips, and kept her lips there. He didn't mind, as his fingers did not slip away. She whispered, "Dork, I thought you were gonna leave me!! Geez, you know how horrible that woulda been?! How am I supposed to get money? I'm not used to working anymore!!" she giggled in her cries again, sheer joy mixed with her earlier despair.
"Yare yare, so lazy."
Now Tokio didn't care if it hurt him or not. She wrapped her arms around him, laying her cheek on his left shoulder, letting her body drake over his.
Of course, it stung. And he winced, but he knew she'd probably hit him if he told her to get off. So he would bear it for now. He slowly raised his hand to her shaking shoulder, and whispered, "I am hungry, you know."
She wiped away her tears, "Oh yeah, I'm sorry. I just had to, you know, GET A DOCTOR TO STITCH YOU BACK TOGETHER, JERK." She playfully slapped his 'good' shoulder. She pressed her lips against his, rising, "Here, I'll try to whip something up. Soba?"
"Do I eat anything else?" he smirked.
She giggled, and rose, "Okay, wait here. And don't die on me!!" she laughed, as she left him in the room. She came to the kitchen, and pried the lid off a container of soba noodles. She set some water to boil, when there was a knock on the front door.
She frowned, and rose. She wasn't expecting anybody tonight............
She walked to the door, and slid it open.
There was a tall man with straw blonde hair that reached for the sky. He wore fiery red and blue flames. Swords were strapped all over him, and he wore black leather gloves. One eye was closed, and he had a cock-sure smile. He grinned, "Howdy ma'am. I reckon you must be the lovely Mrs. Fujita, aren'cha?"
She frowned, "I am. And you are.......?"
"I just need to talk to your husband for a sec. Is he home right now?"
Tokio shook her head, "My husband isn't feeling well. And I don't like people with swords, so if you could just-"
He laughed, "Lady, you're husband wears a sword. Now listen, I'm from the police department, and he needs to report-"
Tokio grabbed the door, "You can tell the police station to shove it, since my husband isn't FEELING WELL. You can go back and tell them that yourself." And with that, she slammed the door.
But he quickly whipped out a sheathed sword, and stuck the door open. He still had that grin on his face, and Tokio spat, "GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE, BEFORE I CALL THE COPS ON YOU!!"
The blonde man merely snickered, and she heard the police commissioner's voice, "Mrs. Fujita!! This is urgent business!!"
She looked behind the blondie, and frowned. She hated that whiny little sh!t. Always bossing around her husband like he was an insolent whelp. "And I'm telling you, to go away. Listen, he's recovering from some minor surgery, and he's not going anywhere," she retorted.
"I didn't make that a request, Mrs. Fujita. This is strict government business, and unless you want to be held in contempt, you'll-"
WRACK!!
Tokio slapped him smartly across the face, "THROW ME IN JAIL, FOR ALL I CARE!! MY HUSBAND NEEDS REST, AND THE DAMN GOVERNMENT WILL BE THE DEATH OF HIM ONE DAY!!"
The police commissioner's eyes had widened, as he was jerked back, and he held his face in surprise.
The blonde chuckled, "Well, she sure is feisty, ain't she?"
"Shut up!! Who the hell are you, anyways?!!" demanded Tokio.
"You can call me Chou, if you like. I'm Goro Fujita's new partner in crime. I mean, justice. Or whatever fine line he happens to cross that day."
Tokio frowned, and raised her hand again, "I'll beat you both down before I hand over my hus-"
Suddenly, she felt a heavy hand clamp on her shoulder, and Goro came behind her, leaning against her for support. She looked up at him, "Goro!! You're not supposed to walk......"
Goro wasn't looking at her, but at the two men on his porch. He narrowed his eyes, "You allow this fool to become part of the police force?"
"He has his uses, Sa..... Fujita." He said, glancing at Tokio.
Tokio knew he was going to say Saito. And she glared poison to that idiot. Goro glanced down at her, "Tokio please go in the house. I have to speak with these men."
She gasped, and looked at him, "Goro, don't go anywhere! You're not fully healed-"
"I can be the judge whether I feel fine or not, Tokio. Now go inside."
That felt like a slap to the face, the way he pushed aside her concern. She frowned, biting her lip, and looked away, "Fine. I'll just go to bed."
She stomped away, as Goro watched her out of the corners of his eyes. After she was gone, Chou crossed his arms and laughed, "Trouble in paradise, Hajime?"
He ignored him, looking down at the commissioner, "You wanted the report now?"
"We had word that you had died, on the mission, since a police went to check up on the Oniwaban. Himura was there, and a man named Sagara vouched for your death."
Saito smirked, "Let him believe that if he wants."
"What of Shishio? Is he defeated?"
"He is dead, as is the woman he was around."
He frowned, "Saito, did you-"
"No, I did not kill the woman. She got herself killed." Here, Saito got into the lengthy details on how Yumi Komogata had died, and all the other deaths. Including that of Usui's. He explained everything, except for the fight with Aoshi Shinomori that the Battousai staged on himself (he was not there to bear witness to that) the report took longer than necessary, since he had to repeat some things.
Chou of the Juppongatana listened intently, his grin slightly faded. The commissioner nodded, "Ah, I see. Then there are no more of the Juppongatana?"
"The boy Soujiro will not be a problem. I was wondering where that monk went-"
"Anji turned himself in, along with Hoji," sneered Chou. "He's repentin' for his sins, I reckon."
"And what of that Hoji?" Saito asked Chou. This was the first time he actually spoke to him.
Chou shrugged, "I dunno what that guy's thinking. He's too distraught over Shishio's death. But he's bein' holed up in jail too."
"Kamatari?"
"He's healin', physically, that is. I think I oughta talk to him. Beat some sense into her head, ya know?"
Saito leaned against the door, his weight pushing strain onto his aching legs, "The other ones I'll ask later. As long as they are under control, you don't need me."
The commissioner coughed into his hand, and said, "Saito, I really do thank you for giving us your help in all of this. But I must ask for it again."
Saito said nothing, looking at him.
"We heard rumors of an uprising in Kobe, we need someone there to contain the violence to a minimum."
He needed a cigarette. He needed something to do with his hands, so he folded his arms over his chest.
Chou snickered again, "I don't reckon the Missus will like that news one bit."
Saito narrowed his eyes at him, "I would thank you not to comment on my wife, Chou."
He chuckled, "Sorry. Bein's how we gotta become pals, I thought I'd just break the ice first." He pointed to where Tokio had stood a minute ago, "She got a sister?"
"No," he replied flatly. He looked back at the commissioner, "Do I get a week?"
The commissioner nodded, "It is customary to have one, so naturally you do have-"
"Then do not bother me until the week is over." Saito stated, turning into his house. "If you do, I refuse the mission."
The commissioner frowned, "Saito!" he barked, "Don't forget the only reason you still live is because the government finds you useful!! Don't speak as if you have a say in this!"
"Or what will you do, kill me? Then who would you send to Kobe?" he narrowed his eyes at Chou, "That Juppongatana idiot?"
"Hey!!" exclaimed Chou.
"The Meiji government is weak, allowing one man like Shishio to cause such corruption in a short period of time. If they do silence me, you'll just crumble in my absence. In a way, the government should be thanking me for covering all it's loose ends," Saito smirked, "Correct?"
The commissioner sweated, frowning, "Where do you even begin to speak-"
"Go away, commissioner. I have one week to heal before Kobe, and I don't need annoyances like you pestering me."
The commissioner's temple popped, and he shouted again, "Saito!"
Saito hated it when he said his name, even though he knew Saito was trying to play low key. Plus, he didn't want Tokio to know that. He never wanted her to know him as the killer he is, that he hides form her. his amber eyes flecked dangerously in the moonlight, daring the commissioner to yell at him again.
Chou sweated, and the commissioner gulped, and stammered, "That'll b-be all, Sa-Fujita." He bowed.
Saito smirked, "Forgive me if I do not bow, the doctor said I should refrain from that if I should heal properly."
The commissioner said nothing, as he walked out the gates. Chou was left standing there, and he grinned, "So, it's true! Hajime Saito really lives a double life, don't he? Ain't that sweet. Coverin' up just to keep the little wife happy. Lucky fer me, I don't have a woman to whip me down to size."
Saito smirked, "Lucky you. It appears you'll be single the rest of your life."
"What was that?"
Saito looked up at the moon, then closed his eyes. Goro Fujita slowly slid the door, "Good night. I trust you can walk yourself out," and closed it shut. He looked at the dim hallways, wondering what kind of tantrum his wife would be in since he sent her away........