Disclaimer: I do not own PMK.
Chapter 3: Tokio vs Souji
His family and future-in-laws had painted a picture of Tokio as a beautiful, virtuous lady. That was when Saitou got cold feet. His elder brothers had married such ladies. They turned out to be total shrews after the honeymoon. Saitou ran off to Kyoto and joined the Shinsengumi. He was horrified to later discover that his wealthy in-laws were sponsoring him and the Shinsengumi. After numerous escape attempts, Hijitaka had finally got him to the Takagi residence.
There they were told that Lady Tokio had left for Kyoto to search for her fiancé. Hoping to find clues to her whereabouts, Saitou had sneaked into her rooms. An undesirable habit of his, maybe, but he felt he owed it to Takagi to find his runaway daughter and return her safely. What he learnt about Takagi Tokio piqued his interest.
Her closet contained several sets of plain clothes suited for outdoor pursuits like riding. A bow was hidden under her silk kimonos. A book on Japan's history was found under her futon. Her dresser had few hairpins or accessories expected for a young woman. Most striking of all was the empty sword holder on it. He learnt from a servant that Tokio had trained secretly and later openly at a dojo. Souji had been her sparring partner at one time.
He walked away from the house with a picture of a determined young woman from a samurai family. She had chosen to be as much a samurai she can be despite the difficulties. Her elder brothers had regretfully chosen to be silk merchants. So Takagi indulged his little girl in letting her pursue pastimes thought of as improper for a woman. Pity he hadn't the chance to meet her in person.
It seemed the Fates were mocking him. After years of running from her, he is now desperate to meet her.
A commotion roused Tokio from her fitful sleep. She lay there, confused. There were shouts. A large man almost trod on her. She rolled aside and stood up, feeling foolish. "There's been an attack! Reinforcements! Patrols Six and Nine!" Hijitaka's voice called out. The Third Patrol! She tried to follow, but was stopped by Okita.
"Fujita-san, come with me!" He half-dragged her to a brightly-lit room. Several taishi were preparing the water and bandages. "You, help them!" A young girl rushed in to announce that there were six wounded. They tended to the injured. Flesh was slashed to reveal bone. A man lost his hand. Tokio had never seen so much blood. She fled shaking from the room with Okita close behind.
"Not up to it, are you? Believe me when I tell you it's a lot worse out there." He patted her back as she threw up her dinner in the yard. It was starting to drizzle. A battered standard. The remnants of the Third Patrol marched in with their bloodstained uniforms. Some of the men bore injuries. Tokio searched the ranks.
She gave a sigh of relief as she spotted Saitou Hajime walking with his men, unhurt. She wanted to run up to him...but that'll be unbecoming. Her eyes never left him as he walked towards them. "Souji, you better get in before you catch a cold. It's a bloody cold night. Oh, Fujita-san, maybe next time it'd be your turn to send those Ishii-scum packing." Tokio nodded as he acknowledged her presence, her eyes shining.
She took a deep breath, steeled herself and went to assist the injured. Okita rolled his eyes. Looks like Tokio is totally smitten with Hajime...
Morning. If this doesn't work, nothing will. Sorry, Tokio-san... "Fujita-san!" Tetsu and Okita pulled the still-sleepy Tokio to her feet. "Bath-time! You smell of blood from last night!" Before she could protest, she found herself dragged out to the yard where the men having their morning bath.
"Well?" Okita waited for her reply as Tokio opened her eyes to the sight of thirty near-naked men. She stifled a squeak and the boys watched with wicked glee as her face reddened. Now she'd go running home to her papa... Then, she saw him. Hajime had only his loin cloth on. He is lean and, oh so muscular.
Now watch me take a bath, Souji-chan! Squaring up her courage, Tokio faced Souji with a look that should have reduced him to ashes, marched over to the well and...
To the men's amazement, Fujita Goro bent over and emptied the bucket over his head, still fully-clothed. Hajime stared as Fujita proceeded to wash his long hair ... Okita acted. He grabbed a towel and ran towards them, only to have Fujita fling a bucket of water in his face.
"Water fight!" Tetsu yelled. Kondo looked out into the yard to see near-naked men throwing buckets of water at each other. On the fringes, a struggling and kicking Fujita was carried away by Tetsu and Okita. Okita gave his cousin permission to use the otherwise private indoor bath.
Notes:
Okita's trying to drive his cousin home, or at least out of the Shinsengumi.
Score? Tokio: 2 Okita: Nil.