FIRST! I don't
own Rurouni Kenshin nor
Saitou Hajime (although I wish)... RK is owned by Nobuhiro
Watsuki.
It's time for me to write again! Yey! This time,
it'll be a fic about Saitou's life before Kyoto and the Shinsengumi. This will be a romanticised
tale of what he was before joining the Shinsengumi
and why he left Tokyo (Edo). There will be times
when Saitou will be OOC, I intend to keep most of his
personality just twisting it now and then. But the OOC will be very apparent
when it comes to his fighting abilities, I don't think
Saitou became a great swordsman overnight. Agree? :O)
About Midori... Well I just thought of her. I like the name Midori since my
code name since childhood is Green2 (from Bioman).
What's interesting is I got interested if the real Saitou Hajime had a woman
before Tokio, since I was writing this fic. On one of my searches (about chapter 2 in this fic) I found out that there was a rumor that he did. It's
located in www.3- hajime.com but you'll have to babelfish
it because it's all in Japanese. I then posted this in the miburo
group in yahoo and several people who were very knowledgeable in Japanese and
the Shinsengumi found out more. Suffice it to say
that there is a good probability that there was another woman and this woman
whose name is Yaso, he probably married her too. Cool
isn't it? I suggest to anyone interested in Saitou and the Shinsengumi
to join the two groups; miburo and SHQ (the new
mailing list).
Oh by the way as most of the readers know.. In this fic both Saitou's parents are already dead. In case you
wanted to know what their names are. It's Yusuke Yamaguchi and Masu Yamaguchi.
Okay here comes some of the Shinsengumi members.. Note this is not the Shinsengumi,
I think the Shinsengumi was formed after this group
led by Kondou-san left Tama for Kyoto.
IMPORTANT: There are a bunch of names characters here… I can't go into much detail but I wanted to make sure that this fic is NOT historically accurate. Don't take it word for word, some of it is really true like the people involved, but the relationships, some attitudes and some events never did happen.
I'll mention two people:
Kiyokawa Hachirou – before he turned traitor to the shogun, he was head of the newly enlisted masterless samurai (including Kondou and the Shieitan guys) to protect the shogunate. He was assassinated for supporting the Ishin-shishi
Takeda Kanryuusai – I believe he was a homosexual who joined the shinsengumi in Kyoto. I believe though (correct me if I'm wrong), that he was already connected to the shogunate even before joining the shinsengumi. Later he betrayed the Shinsengumi to support the Ishin-shi (for money), then Saitou assassinated him.
About the Mimawarigumi – recently I've learned of this group from the
yahoo groups at the newly formed edojidai. Apparently
this group is similar to the Shinsengumi but is
composed mainly of the sons of the politicians and influential people related
to the Tokugawa. Funny, this was mentioned in the Kenshin
OVA's before, and even though I have watched that at least
10 times now, I zoned out on this group. It's really great timing that I
read about them, thanks to Tokugawa Hirotada. I
decided to change my plot a bit to incorporate this group. Akio would fit in
perfectly, because he was the son of an influential man, who was an advisor to
the shogun in Kyoto, plus it makes
Saitou's life harder.
*denotes sound/music/etc
*Thoughts are in italics (having trouble with my wordprocessor,
so in the event thoughts doesn't come up in italics they will be denoted by ~)
CHAPTER XXIV- Preparations in Tama and in Kyoto
"You really should sit down! You haven't even touched breakfast yet!" She shouted at Hajime who was already up and doing his morning practice for no less than two hours.
"Hey! I mean it! If you don't eat this now I'm giving it to the pigs at the back." She teased.
He just ignored her and kept moving from one stance to another. Midori slammed the shoji door behind her. Hajime paused momentarily at her reaction but continued his exercises.
"Really! I don't know what's going on in his head sometimes!" she exclaimed. She shot Souzi an exasperated look and seated herself at the low table.
"Oh Onee-san, he'll be okay…" smiled the young man amused at Midori. Obviously she was bothered when Saitou-san kept ignoring her all through out the morning.
"Right! He gets what he wants and he's still grouchy as ever." She ate the fried tamago (egg) quickly. "That man will be the death of me! Well I even gave him back his katana today and he just stormed out on me, not saying one word!"
"Ah…. Oh…" Souzi wanted to burst out laughing. He couldn't tell her how Hijikata-san tricked Saitou-san into joining the group using the katana as bait even though Hijikata had returned the sword days before. . Hell will break lose, considering Midori's fiery disposition this morning. He sealed his mouth with a wry smile.
"Souzi… Take this…" she handed him Hajime's share of the meal. "Don't you have a pet pig out on the back? That's for him now."
"I really shouldn't…." pushing the plate back to her.
Midori glared at him and pushed it back. "I SAID TAKE IT."
Okita Souzi was in a predicament. If he took Saitou's lunch, Saitou will sure to repay him back a hundred times fold, but if he defied Midori he would be shredded to bits right then and there. He sighed. I'll just hide from Saitou-san today… Onee-san looks seriously dangerous…
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"Ohayo Gozaimasu Kondou-san" Hijikata slightly bowed to the older man who was seated in the middle of the tatami mat.
Kondou nodded to Hijikata. "Toshi, how many men do we have as of now?"
Hijikata smirked. The usual Kondou Isami, was missing, he was confronted with a serious man who meant business. This was what he liked and amused him about Kondou, when times were good he was his usual easy-going self, but when times were bad (and these were bad times) he took on the leadership role, no ifs no buts. This was probably why he was content as being Kondou's right hand man and leaving the details for him to do as he saw fit was just another perk of the job.
"Fifteen to be exact. The young man you had your eyes on, just joined us." He grinned.
Keeping the stern face Kondou nodded and reached for his katana as he stood up. "We'll need more people, as each day passes trouble brews in Kyoto. I heard from the Shogunate's informants that the Choshuu clan has started amassing more men to their cause. They are rumored to even teach children in preparation for this war. Fifteen will NOT stop even a tenth of them. There are also rumors that other clans are planning to go against Aizu and the shogun."
Hijikata furrowed his brow, "How many will go to Kyoto?"
"It is not confirmed but at least two more groups will be there. We might have to form formal alliances with them. Prepare yourself and your men."
"Sou ka. How long do we have?"
"Less than three months. Toshi, I do not have to tell you we are shamefully small. We have been very selective of who (he is not referencing "class" but kendo skills) we admit to the Shieitan, but the times have changed and so must we." Kondou frowned.
"Understood. There are at least 10 more men that I know have expressed interest. We will get our members to recruit more." Hijikata stood to leave. "If you'll excuse me…"
"Hijikata, I am leaving today for Kyoto. There are matters to be arranged. Be ready, for when I come back we will leave to protect the shogunate."
No more words were to be exchanged between the two men. There was no need to, they understood each other perfectly.
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Time flew by with a blink of an eye. The members of the Shieitan doubled in that short time. Hijikata Toshizo labored from morning to late at night training new members in shifts. Fortunately for him, there was Okita Souzi who assisted him in these trainings.
There were four others who had stepped up to the plate.
First, Harada Sanosuke a large and strong young man who was an expert in handling the spear. Hijikata was a quiet man, who valued silence but when the "brute" showed up all peace had left. It was a good thing his fighting skills spoke louder than his mouth, otherwise Hijikata Toshizo himself would have sealed it permanently. Harada was always bothered being "associated" under the Bushis, which was the main reason he joined the dojo.
Second, Shinpachi Nakagura. Small, scrawny looking but decent in handling a sword. He was always hanging out with Harada and thus he became a fixture in the dojo. Personally for him, the dojo at first had nothing interesting to offer. He was only slightly interested in learning kenjutsu but after watching Hijikata "secretly" from time to time practicing the Tennen Rishin Ryu and the Hirazuki he simply changed his mind. Hijikata seemed to be very pleased with his progress at least he never got the reprimanding look that Harada always received. Always one step a head of you Sanosuke-KUN… HAHA…
Third, Yamanami Seisuke. Hijikata thought he was the most quiet and most respectful of the bunch that entered the dojo. Others wondered why he ever joined, he seemed to be the pacifist type. Whenever training was over, he'd converse with the others and then take his leave and sit somewhere lost and daydreaming.
Last but not the least, Saitou Hajime. Kondou had wanted him and Hijikata was able to trap him into joining the Shieitan. Hijikata couldn't stop laughing as Okita relayed what happened between him and Midori about the katana. It was a sweet justice for Hijikata, he had always been looking for a way to "get back" at the man who dared cross blades with him so many times. Now though is a different matter, Hijikata has decided that among the new recruits he will take Saitou under his wing, much like Okita. His temperament has improved quite a bit, albeit he is still sour about the little rogue I played. *grins*
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At KYOTO….
"Sasaki-san! I am going to the Yorukonde. Please come join me." Akio smiled his widest and sweetest smile at the head of the Mimawarigumi.
The tall and lanky man with very dark eyes slightly nodded; alert that something must be brewing in Akio's head. He did not like his vice-captain at all, provided his fencing skills were above par, he had always felt that the young man operated under a "give and take" relationship. Sasaki was so disturbed by Akio that he didn't realize that they were already being ushered in the Yorukonde. Looking around he couldn't help but feel a little out of place. Akio always knew where the most classy and expensive places were.
"Hot or cold?"
"Sake should always be served "hot" Akio-kun." Sasaki couldn't help but show his annoyance.
Akio cocked his head to the waitress. "You heard him. Bring some sashimi too."
"So why bring me here?" Sasaki sat cross-armed.
"Ah… Relax and enjoy Sasaki-san. Really! Those Ishin-shishi's has really gotten to you. I just thought you needed a break." Akio smiled making his emerald eyes almost sparkle.
Yeah right. I'll play the waiting game if you wish… Sasaki just nodded.
"Maybe we should get a Geiko (Kyoto name for Geisha) to sing for us…." Akio waved to the man sitting at the corner and gave him some money. Moments later they were being entertained the beautiful singing of an onna (woman) who was garbed with a black kimono, gold obi with embroidered lilies at the hem.
Sasaki almost choked. Akio did not know his superior at all. He waited patiently for Akio to make a move.
Finally for what seemed like endless hours of nonsense Akio dismissed the Geiko and offered him some more sake. Sasaki waited in anticipation.
"You know Sasaki-san, my father has always been a loyal supporter of the shogunate and more recently OUR group." Akio took a sip of the sake, his eyes not letting go of Sasaki's black ones.
"Yes, rest assured that we are appreciative of that fact." Sasaki responded in a calculated but diplomatic voice.
Akio smiled. "Yes and I have been re-assuring him that, that is the case. He is quite worried though that within the shogunate itself there are people who we leave in power freely even though it is disadvantageous for everyone concerned. Because of this, he is having second thoughts about supporting OUR causes."
Ah… So the old man has put you up to this…Blackmail…
"Now I don't know how long I can keep convincing my father that, this is not the case." Akio took another sake and drowned himself with it.
"Sou ka." Sasaki tried to sound sympathetic "What do you propose we do?"
"Ah! Well for starters I have a list of the people we should watch out for. They could very well be traitors or corrupt men in this regime." Akio took out a piece of paper and handed it to Sasaki.
List contents –
1) Yamamoto Tendou
2) Kana Uinoe
3) Shimada Ichimoto
4) Bashu Ninoga
5) Kiyokawa Hachirou
6) Takeda Kanryuusai
7) Saitou Hajime
Sasaki took a quick glance at the names, the first four were prominent businessmen while the other two where connected to the military. The last name struck him the most though; it has been a long time since he had heard of that name. Obviously old man Kaneda was trying to get rid of competitors and hindrances. He had heard rumors of Kiyokawa being connected to the Ishin-shishi but the reports never were confirmed. Kanryuusai was just a small insect but Saitou Hajime, did not fit any of the profile of the men above.
"Akio-kun, please tell Kaneda-san that we will definitely look into this. I can promise you that if we do find something out of the ordinary, we will act on this public service that your father continues to provide."
Sasaki poured Akio a drink, to which the latter accepted happily.
TO REVIEWERS:
Missbehavin – Well I'm not really sure yet "who" will get Saitou out of this sticky situation. Right now though I'm still dealing with who aside form Akio will be my antagonist, Sasaki??? So I really don't know yet who will rescue our beloved Saitou-sama. I choose to fast forward the events as you can see, I just didn't feel like I should go into detail about their life in the Shieitan because I think the chapters before and the snippet now should be enough. There are a couple more though important things that needs to happen in and around the dojo until they leave so I guess it's another chapter or so there. I totally agree with you about the Shishio fight. What never did understand in that fight is, remember that part where Shishio had his hand buried on Saitou's right shoulder? Did he do that with just plain fingers or was it already cut before and he just chose to deepen the wound?
Ooka-chan – I think I e-mailed you the link… Saitou-sama is in a lot of trouble honestly in this fic… Gome! Gome! I'm pretty sure there will be no Okita-san x Saitou-sama fight. But if there was, I might let Saitou-sama win (there you happy ?? ^_^ ) Well at least Saitou-sama recovered quickly but he's still very pissed at the whole thing, he won't even speak with Midori. Oh well…. Hopefully I'll get a better chapter out soon.
Asdfghjkl- Well I'm sorry you didn't like that. Admittedly there is a much better way of doing it. But I found personally that I hated encountering Japanese words and then going to the author's notes to find what it meant. I might change it, who knows? Oh well I saw you read one chapter and left so I guess I won't get anymore critiques? If you have anymore good critiques (the Japanese vs English was nice but the "f**** retard thing" was a bit rude [I'll chose to forget you said that]), let me know.He