Disclaimer: I do not own PMK.

Yahoo, finally got my buggy chapter 7 fixed. Thanks for caring, Night-Owl123. Going for an X-ray later. My uncle suspects more than a sprained toe. I suppose trotting off to language class didn't improve it... Talking about running, will Saitou turn runaway groom again? Read on.

Chapter 10: Runaway Groom?

Takagi gave his blessings for the wedding to be held in Kyoto, much to everyone's surprise Both bride and groom-to-be have recovered from their injuries. Kondo has chosen a date for the ceremony and Okita was to inform his cousin.. Tokio was having her hair dressed by Hotaru when Okita called on her.

"Souji-chan, how did you manage to persuade my father?" Tokio asked as she peered at her reflection. Did she use too little oil? Her hair wasn't as shiny as she hoped it'd be.

"Simple! I informed him about the both of you spending a night in each other's arms..." Okita winked. Tokio turned on him and hit him lightly. "Souji! You just ruined my chances at marriage!"

Okita laughed as he dodged her blows. "Tokio-san, there's one who will marry you, or will you have some other?"

"No," Tokio smiled. It will only be Hajime for her.

"What do you mean Saitou's missing?!" Okita shouted at a quivering Tetsu. Saitou had been acting strangely since they informed him of the wedding date. Afraid the man will chicken out again like he did, they had posted a watch on him. Tetsu had seen Saitou enter his room. Then the Third Captain vanished.

"Okita-san! Sorry..." Tetsu backed away as Okita bore down on him. Okita-san's gonna kill me... Tetsu shot a pleading glance at Hijitaka. The Demon looked away. You're on your own, pup. Okita grabbed the boy's collar, yanked him off his feet and threw him hard against the wall.

"Souji-chan! Your health!" Tokio poked her head into the room. She ran over to her furious cousin, stepping over an unconscious Tetsu in the process. "Calm down, calm down..." She soothed him.

"Hajime bolted again!" Okita grated. "Kami! He's gonna marry you tomorrow... The bastard!"

"I know where he is, Souji-chan. Do the names Nagakura, Toudou and Harada ring a bell? I'm going to tell them off..." She beamed her sweet smile and left. The anger drained out of Okita. He looked about and saw the still out-cold Tetsu. "Toshi, did I do that?" Hijitaka nodded. Oops...

"Tetsu?" Okita was relieved when the boy finally let out a weak moan and opened his eyes.

"A toast to your last night of freedom!" A drunken Harada spilled his sake over the floor. The Trio had sneaked Saitou out for a stag party at Akesato's. Saitou was not quite drunk yet. He was nervous. "Shinpachi, you're married, right? How's having a wife like?" Saitou asked the Second Patrol Captain.

Nagakura blinked. He thought for a while. "My wife nags me whenever I go back to see her. She cooks the best hotpot and mends my clothes. But that's my wife, not Takagi-san..."

Nagakura was standing by the window. He wanted to catch some cool air to clear his head. Suddenly his mouth dropped open. "Guys! Look and tell me what you see."

"Okita?" The figure at the door was slender. It darted into the building before they could get a better look. Their questions were answered a short while later when Tokio entered the room garbed as a boy.

"Tokio! What are you doing here?" Tokio ignored Saitou's question and walked over to Akesato. Doesn't she know this is Shimabara? No lady of good birth will be caught in such a place!

"Akesato-san? May I ask that Hajime-san is sober enough for tomorrow?" Tokio asked politely. A very surprised Akesato nodded. Tokio smiled at the guys and left without speaking to them. Saitou did deserve to spend his remaining bachelorhood with his friends.

"Is it just me or does Tokio resemble Fujita-san a lot?" Toudou rubbed his eyes. "They're cousins," Saitou mumbled as he downed his sake. Harada passed out from too much sake.

The streets of Kyoto were abuzz with the news of the wedding. One of the Shinsengumi's best marrying the daughter of one of the wealthiest samurai families in Japan. San-nan had let out whispers of a wedding at a local teahouse. Of course the actual wedding will be held on the HQ grounds.

Okita and Hijitaka stood on either side of Saitou as they walked him to the hall. Poor Hajime felt as though he were being escorted to the execution ground. Kondo and Yamanami beamed. The ceremony will be low-key. The bride's family will be represented by Okita. Saitou's by Hijitaka. What can go wrong?

They had left two patrols on duty to prevent any trouble. Tetsu limped about painfully. Okita-san actually threw me against the wall... He glared at Okita. I'm still hurting, worse than from one of your kendo matches... Okita sweatdropped. Sorry, Tetsu, I'll make it up to you...

The bride came led by Hotaru. Saitou began to break out in a cold sweat. She looked every bit a lady in her bridal kimono. He turned towards the gate. Hijtaka and Okita stopped him. "Hajime-kun, you've got to go through with this... We'll hate to hurt you before the honeymoon."

Saitou caught sight of Tokio's bemused smile. Tokio's Tokio, whether she's in a bridal gown or practicing kendo with him. On with the wedding...

Notes:

Some claim the wedding is the deathbed of love. Having never been in love much less married, I cannot vouch for its truth... How about ourcharming couple? Will they live happily ever after? Or will Hajime do a last minute ditch? (Of course, Okita will kill him if he did... provided he can find the man, Saitou is very good at disappearing)