Disclaimer: I do not own PMK or RK.

Chapter 14: Betrayal

San-nan's back. Tetsu saw him sitting on the veranda after dinner. Seeing the page, Yamanami asked Tetsu to join him. "How were things when I'm gone, Tetsu-kun?" Tetsu filled him in. Kondo's busy as usual. Demon Hijitaka's been worried as Okita-san was not getting any better. Tatsu-nii caught a bad cold. Susumu and Hotaru seemed to be getting along, finally. Yamazaki had been resentful of Hotaru for taking over what was his sister's place in the kitchen.

There were several skirmishes with the Choushu Ishii. They had lost a few men. The dangerous criminal Battousai clashed with the Third Patrol when Saitou was on home leave. Saitou was very irritated at having to replace more than half of his best men and swore open war on Battousai.

Poor Saizou was not eating his food. Toudou of the Comedian Trio has been secretive lately. Tetsu assumed he was still upset over Hana. He, Ichimura Tetsunosuke, has joined Shinpachi's patrol...Saya.

"Yamanami-san, I thought I saw Saya the other day...can she still be alive? Where can she be?" Tetsu looked at him earnestly hoping for an answer. Where do I look for her, how can I find her? I know she's alive somewhere in this large city.

Is Akesato still alive? Yamanami did not answer Tetsu but gazed up at the first early stars that appeared.

Shinpachi rolled over and saw the empty space where Heisuke's futon should be. Harada yawned loudly as he stepped into the room. "He does seem to staying out a lot lately," the giant muttered with a grin as he settled down for the night. "Probably in Shimabara. There are many pretty girls there to help him forget..."

"Sano-kun, can you really forget? Have you forgotten Ayu-nee?" The grin fled from the giant's face. He shook his head sadly.

"No, guess it doesn't work that way." Shinpachi silently thanked heaven for blessing him with a loving wife whom he loved. He really should go back and visit her...maybe, even buy her a new hairpin...Thinking so, he dozed off.

Heisuke was nowhere near Shimabara. He waited by the rice warehouse until his guide came. It was the messenger boy. The youth led him through a maze of back alleys. Why am I doing this? It was betrayal of his friends, but if he chose not to...the Shinsengumi is doomed.

One night after visiting Hana-chan, he had fallen into conversation with a man. The topic turned to politics and Heisuke learnt some things that he now realized were glaringly obvious. The Shinsengumi was flawed as it will not change. They cannot stop the changes that are coming, no matter how they try...

They stopped in front of a fence. The boy pushed aside a secret door and they entered a large yard. The boy hurried him towards the main building at the far end. He judged it to be a restaurant. Then he saw a very familiar face.

"Saya-chan?" Saya looked at him in shock, turned and tried to flee down the corridor. "Wait, Saya! Tetsu-kun's been looking for you," Heisuke caught hold of the girl. Saya shook her head fiercely. I can't go back now! Don't you understand? I can't! "Saya..."

"Toudou-san, they're waiting," the youth's voice was like ice and Toudou felt the coldness of steel as Suzu rested his blade on his back of his neck. He was on their turf. He released Saya, who fled into the dark interior of the building. "Coming," He turned to face the youth, and recognized him as the one who had played cards with both Saya and Tetsu so long ago.

In her room, Saya's shoulders shook as she cried. Why hadn't she allowed him to take her to Tetsu? Why? Today she had caught a glimpse of her love as he walked by Umeya with his fellows. She was so distracted she poured hot tea on a customer and Umeko-dono sent her to the kitchen.

She was afraid. Afraid he will reject her? Or afraid that being with her will hurt him? Were they on opposite banks now? She had read Tomoe's diary secretly before leaving for Kyoto. She now understood why Tomoe was so troubled. Will they use her to get close to Tetsu just as Tomoe was used?

Tetsu-kun, I don't want to hurt you. Umeko peeked in and asked if she were alright.

"Are you holding Saya as a hostage?" They were walking back through the maze. The meeting was a success. Toudou and the men he represented were now with them. However, he knew he was still taking a risk in raising this topic. He gathered Suzu had certain issues with Tetsu.

"She's here of her own will." Suzu hadn't thought of using Saya as a hostage. He hadn't thought of her as anything more than a bothersome 'kid sister'. Besides, it wouldn't be fair to drag Saya into his quarrel. They will settle their differences man to man.

So she's avoiding him...Toudou thought. He considered approaching Tetsu but the boy's loyal to the current leaders. He can't tell Tetsu without endangering his fellows on the course he has chosen. No, Tetsu and Saya will have to wait.

Author's notes:

Enjoyed writing this so far. More tensions mounting. Thanks for those who have the patience to follow so far...

Kenshin will make his re-appearance soon. Looking forward to writing up a confrontation between Saitou & Battousai.