A/N: Thank you for the reviews! They really do mean a lot.

--edit-- Ok, I am so sorry about the whole Saitou drunk thing!!!!!!!!!! I revised it! Don't worry!!

Disclaimer: I forgot to do the disclaimer in the previous chapter. I do not own any part of Rurouni Kenshin.

Chapter 7 Silent Envy

August 14 of 1867 ::Edo::

Saitou and Okita were both dressed in civilian clothing, rather than their Shinsengumi uniform. They were waiting at the side of a road for a carriage bearing an important person. It was ordered by Kondo and they would obey it without question.

The taller man growled his annoyance at the time. The carriage was five minutes late. Okita chuckled. "Getting anxious, Saitou-san? A wolf is always patient with its meal."

Saitou scowled furiously, his face etched with anger. "It just better not be a woman." He muttered.

The boy captain looked down the road. "Here it comes." The pair could see dust trailing behind a black carriage pulled by two horses and they could instantly detect that this person was rich.

The horses snorted and tossed their head after they stopped in front of the two men. Okita stepped forward and opened the door.

"Souji-niisan, it's nice to see you again." A soft, shy voice said.

"Tami-chan, what are you doing here?" He asked in shock.

The twelve year old girl smiled at him; her sister's smile. Okita crouched down to be at eye level with her and met her with a serious face. "Hold out your hands, Tami."

Right away, the girl became frightened but did as he instructed. The man reached into his green gi. "Close your eyes." He pulled out a bag of candy that he had with him just in case he got hungry, and placed it in her hands.

Her eyes snapped open and her face glowed with delight. "Nee-chan, look what Souji-niisan gave me!"

A small laugh came from inside the carriage and Tokio stepped out gracefully. Okita's eyes widened at her sight. Dressed in a kimono of the deepest blue with white shimmering flowers dancing on it, with a white obi lined with different shades of blue, she was truly a sight to see. Saitou also couldn't help but stare at her.

"To-chan, you look so beautiful," Okita breathed out, still in awe of the woman.

"Souji-san, Kondo-sama had spoken to me that he wants to offer a place for us."

He grinned. "Let's go elsewhere to talk."

With Tami holding his hand and Tokio's, Okita and Saitou led the way to where the Shinsengumi were staying. After arriving, they went directly to Kondo's room where he greeted them kindly.

"I congratulate my first squadron captain on being married to such a lovely lady. Tokio, I can guarantee that you will be safe with Souji and the Shinsengumi. I'm afraid that Souji has been spending the last three months looking for a place for his new wife than training his troops," he grinned, "I talked to Souji and I offered to keep you here, since he has a duty here and wouldn't be able to go back and forth from his family and here very often. Also, if a hitokiri got wind that the Shinsengumi's first captain was married, they would most assuredly kill you. To prevent that, I think it is best that you stay with us where there is protection and of course, Souji. Your room would be with Souji and we can put Tami in the next room. Anything you need, we will provide. So, how about it?"

Tokio smiled at Kondo than to Souji and nodded. "I will go wherever Soujirou goes and I will stay wherever Soujirou stays."

Kondo sighed happily as he watched the couple gaze at each other in adoration. "Well, since that is settled, you can move your things into your new home. Ah, also, Tokio, I am very sorry that Takagi-sama has passed away. I mourned at the news."

Tokio gave a deep bow. "Thank you, Kondo-sama."

Souji helped carry his wife's things into his room. He watched her pull out her clothes from bags and folding them carefully. She looked at him questioningly and he pointed to a dresser to her left. She gave him a small smile and he continued to watch her every graceful movement, at times wondering what she saw in him.

After she was finished resettling, Tokio got up and held Souji's hand. "I would like to know some of your men, Soujirou, is that alright with you?"

"Of course, To-chan, I will give you a tour of the place." He gently led her by the hand past the many doors and rooms to the courtyard where the sound of men sparring could be heard.

"Oy, Souji-kun, is that your new wife that you can't shut up about?" Harada Sanosuke shouted while thrusting a practice spear into his subordinate's stomach.

Okita brightly waved and laughed. Tokio covered her smile with her hand. At the sound of Sanosuke's shout, everyone stopped to look at their captain's wife. The spear wielder let out a snort. "Well, now I see why you can't shut up about her. Men, if you hear noises from their room, don't bother going in. If you interrupt something, I will personally make sure you can't – "

"Harada-kun, I'm sure you notice the lady beside me." Okita said loudly.

The tenth captain looked sheepish and scratched his head. Souji sighed and turned to Tokio. "I'm almost starting to regret that you're going to stay here."

Tokio smiled. "You don't have to worry about me all day, Soujirou."

"Ja, I'll show you where the kitchen is. If you'd like to help, just ask our cook in there. I'm sure she'd welcome you. Cooking for forty, starving men three times in a row isn't as easy as it sounds." He winked.

The cook, Ayume, and Tokio became instant friends. Both were quiet and shared a love of cooking.

Souji left his wife to cook and he went to train. Saitou met him on the yard and handed him a piece of candy. The smaller captain delightedly accepted and popped the sweet treat into his mouth, sucking on it.

"Well, how about a practice fight?" He asked. Saitou looked at him and smirked.

"I won't be held responsible by Tokio if you choke on that."

Okita pouted and made a face. "You gave me the candy, Saitou-san. You know that I have a sweet tooth. It's a scandal, isn't it? Trying to weaken me before fighting, ne, Saitou-san?" He laughed, almost choking on the disappearing sweet hard candy for real.

The two friends sparred only after the smaller captain finished the candy, which Saitou impatiently waited for him to do. They came to dinner sweaty and tired, but satisfied that they battled well. Both of them took a bath afterwards and stayed in the dojo to talk quietly. It was there that Saitou handed him a note. Souji opened it and color drained from his face as he read its contents. "Already? I can't leave her now. You know I can't. It can't be this bad, can it? I've been doing all I can...when should I tell her?"

"When you feel like she's ready."

The small man let out a sharp breath and looked towards the kitchen. "I don't want to upset her. She deserves so much more than me."

"Stop making it so dramatic, Okita."

Souji laughed. "Yes, I should. But to think that I would leave her this soon...it was never my intention. I thought I had longer. I am a very self-centered person. I wanted so much to be with her and finally I married her even when I knew I would die. If the war didn't kill me, I knew this disease would. And when I left, I would leave her behind. Shame on me, Saitou-san, shame on me."

Saitou looked at his long time companion, hardly believing that he was going to leave very soon. It was going to be a hard journey.

::Dusk::

Tokio sat waiting for Souji on the porch in front of their room, staring at the sky tinted with red and orange. Her hair was let loose from its bun and hung past her shoulders. She felt her husband sit beside her and put his hand on top of hers. She turned to face him but was met with a soft, yet possessive kiss. Her stomach suddenly twisted into knots as Souji deepened their kiss.

Slowly parting away from her lips, he let out a nervous breath and dared to look at her. Grinning like a schoolboy, he played with her fingers anxiously awaiting a reaction.

"To-chan, you know I love you and – "

A kiss was quietly placed on the tip of his nose. Tokio traced a careful outline of his jaw and he watched her finger move across his heated skin. "I love you too, Soujirou."

They spent an everlasting moment then, just the two of them gazing at fireflies that swirled around them. Saitou leaned against a tree, taking refuge in its shadows as he observed the couple with a strange feeling rising inside of him. He never experienced it before because he was always satisfied with what he already had. Seeing the two of them together, he knew he was missing something, and he was not foolish enough to deny that he didn't know what this feeling was. It was jealousy, an emotion triggered by a woman named Takagi Tokio. And his silent envy burned with intensity...but he would keep it all tucked away, never letting it get the best of him.

Okita opened the door to their room and Tokio followed noiselessly inside. He fidgeted with the lamp before he was able to light it. His wife was already laying out their futons. 'She looks so serene...' he thought to himself as he helped her. He changed into his sleeping yukata and he respectfully did not watch her change into hers. He put his swords against the wall within easy reach and prepared for the next day.

Tokio waited until he got into bed first, then lay down next to him. Underneath the covers, Souji grasped her hand and fell asleep soon after. She turned around to watch his sleeping form. His chest rose and fell with his calm breathing. Closing her eyes to sleep, she drew the covers around her for more warmth and her feet gently rested beside his leg.

Okita took a sharp intake of air went he felt the contact between them. He opened his eyes and saw that she was sleeping. Smiling contently, he decided to retire and looked forward to tomorrow when he would be able to see her again.

::Morning::

Souji woke up with the sun shining in his eyes through the thin rice paper. He sat up and twisted his head to look at his sleeping wife. He got out from under the covers and met the cool air with a smile. He stretched lazily and changed into a light gray kimono and tied a sash around his waist loosely.

"Soujirou, good morning."

"Good morning, To-chan. Breakfast will be served soon. We should get changed."

Tokio quickly changed and excused herself first to help with the cooking. He nodded and looked outside. 'It must have drizzled a few hours ago,' the captain judged. The light rain freshly watered the flowers in Ayume's garden and the soil was damp. The feel of clean air reenergized him and his weak lungs.

Stepping out, he was quickly attacked by Sanosuke from behind. The big man threw an arm around his neck and chuckled mischievously. "So, how'd it go?"

The smaller captain blushed furiously. "We only slept, Harada-kun. We didn't...do anything."

A derisive snort was heard and Sanosuke released his hold. "Well, you're slow, aren't you? You were married to her for more than four months and you still haven't done anything? It's a wonder that the woman sticks with a boring man like you."

Okita laughed. "I wonder sometimes too. Ja, let's get to breakfast. Tokio is helping with the cooking."

The two of them walked and shared news with each other. Breakfast was grand and the men instantly welcomed the new lady into their fold. She smiled at them and passed around more rice. Okita couldn't help but feel proud of his wife.

After eating, everyone headed to the dojo part of the building to spar. It was Okita's favorite part of the day. He picked a bokken for the day and set up his squad to spar with him two at a time. Tokio and Ayume were out doing laundry and taking care of the garden.

Time passed quickly and lunch came and went. The early evening was approaching them. Tokio was washing the porch with a wet towel when she saw a tall man stagger towards the porch. She recognized him from before, someone who served in Okita's squad. He collapsed on the recently washed deck, half his body still on the ground. She rushed to help him up when his hand shot up and grabbed her painfully by the neck.

"What do you want, whore?" He sneered in slurred speech and the strong smell of sake met her senses. It almost overwhelmed her.

"Itamichi-san, you're – you're drunk. You need—!" She desperately tried to breath in oxygen.

"Shut up, woman! Speak only when you are spoken to!" The drunken swordsman knocked her over so that he was securely positioned over her, his thigh between her slender legs. "Now, if you'd be so kind, Okita Tokio?" He leaned over, his breathing rapid and heavy, and she turned away.

"Itamichi-san, I don't think you realize that I'm married to your superior."

He let out a cynical chuckle. "Oh, no, Tokio, I know very well that you are married. I know how happy you are with my captain, Okita-sensei. That's why I'll enjoy touching you like he had never had and he never will. Do you know why, Tokio?" he asked her, "He has tuberculosis. Didn't he tell you that yet? I found out when I overheard Kondo-sama talking to Hijikata- sama. He has less than two years to live. He doesn't want to give you the disease and so he won't ever touch you. Do you hear me? He will never touch you. If you dreamed of having children with him, I'm afraid you're going to give that up."

A sob threatened to break from her throat as she heard his words. Tears pooled around her eyes and she tightly closed her eyes as if she was afraid to face reality.

"Get off of her."

Tokio snapped open her eyes again to see the tip of a long blade against Itamichi's neck. Okita's face was contorted into an impossible look of absolute fury. His usually round eyes were hardened and narrow, glaring an expression of deepest loathing at the man on top of his wife. The tall Shinsengumi soldier's eyes were narrowed into snake-like slits as he stared at the sword that warned to slice the artery in his neck.

Itamichi released her and Tokio got up to walk behind her husband. Okita did not sheath his katana. "If I...if I discover you've hurt her in any way, bastard, I will kill you myself. I will not hesitate."

Tokio grasped Okita's sleeve. "Soujirou, he is drunk. We have to help him."

The small captain's eyes softened in pity at the soldier's unstable state. He put the sword back in its sheath and slammed his fist into the side of Itamichi's head. He was knocked out cold. Okita dragged the man to his sleeping quarters and Tokio hurriedly laid down futons for the unconscious man.

They let him rest and Tokio came back in before going to sleep to check on him. Truthfully, she was still shaken from how the combatant had acted. Okita was now scared to let her near some of his men. She assured him that she was going to be fine.

Back in their room, she faced Souji in the dim light of the lamp. "Soujirou, why didn't you tell me about your illness?"

He was quiet. "I didn't want to worry you. I thought I could protect you. I didn't think it was worth your concern—"

Slap. Her hand flew across his cheek, causing it to sting painfully. Her angry tears hung on her eyes. "How dare you hide something from me," Tokio said, her voice shaking, "Your health is not my concern? My concern is you and Tami. I don't have anyone else left, Soujirou. If I had known sooner..." She trailed off, her head bowed.

Okita's arms went around her tightly. "I'm sorry, To-chan. I was wrong to keep my illness from you. You are my wife and you deserve to know everything about me, the good and the bad.

"I don't have very long to live, To-chan, and I apologize for everything."

Tokio's arms snaked around his waist and pulled herself closer to feel safer. He almost crushed her in his embrace, holding her as if it was his last day on this blessed earth.

He took her lips with his and paused briefly for her response. She kissed him back, wanting more. Their fingers threaded together as Souji leaned further forward to gently place her beneath him. 'You don't know how long I wanted this...'

Thank you to...

Misaoshiru- Thank you much for your review!

Jazzywolf- It's getting good?? Yes! I think I should have a party. Cheers!

::Author's notes::

--edited--Whew, Dustyfall said that it went a little too fast, so I kind of added more detail to it and slowed it down as much as I could without dulling and changing the entire thing. Saitou does not hit on her, just a mere loser subordinate of Okita's does. But I thought the whole Saitou thing did add more conflict, but I regretted putting such an honorable man as a drunk, so I sacrificed a little. I hope it's better in a way...

I'm actually watching Peace Maker, the anime, and Okita looks like a very pretty woman...and he has very severe mood changes. I like how the Rurouni Kenshin OVA's pictured him, so think of this story's Okita like that, except a little taller and a little bit more mature looking. --;; and Hijikata in Peace Maker looks more like Saitou to me, and things are kind of screwy in there but it's really good! Thanks for reading!