DISCLAIMER: FIRST! I don't own Rurouni Kenshin nor Saitou Hajime (although I wish)... RK is owned by Nobuhiro Watsuki.
OTHER: Okay... To those reading this story.. I took off most of the authors notes so please just read the notes from prior chapters... Also since fanfiction has this thing against answering reviewers in the story... If you would like to see my answers to your review, please check my profile and there I will post my answers/thoughts. I hope you enjoy the story. Critiques please, please let me know... What you hate.. What you like.. What I need to work on...
WARNING: This fic is OOC, especially this chapter...
~ or italics are thoughts
* others/sounds/etc
CHAPTER XVI - His and Her Mistakes
"Damn it!" Okita stomped his feet as he went back into the dojo. He walked to the very back to join Saitou's trainees. He just stood there staring at them. Some where squatting, sitting, leaning, anything but going to formation. Such a sorry lot Saitou's trainees were. He stomped his foot again and cursed under his breath.
~I'm not training today. It's not fair Saitou and Midori left without me.
He took out the note Saitou left for him earlier and threw it against the wall. The men stared at him as he walked away.
~That's it. I'm following them...
"OKITA SOUZI!!!" Hijikata shouted. "S O U ZI!!!"
~Damn it! Why is he calling me? Ignore... Ignore...
Hijikata sprinted to the door blocking Souzi's way out.
"Where are you going?" Hijikata asked as he panted.
"I'm following them." Souzi tried to walk past Hijikata.
"You have duties today..." Hijikata shouted.
"WHAT DUTIES???? Saitou didn't even ask me if I'll fill in for him... NO WAY!!!" Okita shot a look at the men at the back and pointed. "They're hopeless..."
The men at the back heard and sweatdropped.
"That's an order!!! You are not disturbing those two!" Hijikata took Souzi's arm and dragged him towards the further side of the garden to get some privacy.
"Itai..... Itai...." Okita cursed under his breath again. "What are you up to Toshi?"
"Just let them be. You'll just be a nuisance. They need to spend time together. You know how it is." Hijikata almost winked at Okita.
"Huh????" Souzi narrowed his eyes. "Hijikata-san you better spill or I'm going out there whether you like it or not. You know I run faster than anyone here."
Hijikata let go of Okita and frowned at the young man. "You've known me long enough Okita. You'll just have to trust me on this one."
"That's all? You've got nothing better than that?"
"No."
Souzi bowed to Toshi. "I've got to go. That's not enough for me. Did you see Saitou-san this morning? I haven't seen him that way since the day Midori went missing."
"It's for the best Souzi."
Okita bowed lower and ran off.
~Gomenasai Hijikata-san. I've known you too well to have trifle motives..
-----------------------------------------
It was the first genuine spring day that year. The Sakura was starting to bloom and Midori could smell the fresh earth. They walked along a path surrounded by Sakura trees and right next to it was a long bending river. She leaned closer to Hajime as they walked.
~Oh what a perfect day! she thought to herself.
She was a little worried ealrier back in the dojo when she saw Hajime walking around mindlessly with a lost look in his eyes. All that though was now gone. Hajime although quite quiet that day, kept showering her with warm smiles and continuously held her hand.
~Yes it's such a perfect day...
She looked around to pick a spot for them. A nice spot with a view was what she wanted so she could lay down the blanket she brought and they could enjoy a picnic together. She easily spotted a clearing between two large Sakura trees and an out of place pomegranate tree, the view was good too, they could easily sit back and watch the river as they sat beside it's banks.
~Kami-sama... Perfect!
She let go of his hand and ran over to the spot, motioning to Hajime to hurry up and sit with her.
----------------------------------------
Hajime watched Midori from a distance. She was wearing a skyblue kimono with a pink obi tied in an elaborate knot. He grinned. He saw her earlier in their room going through the limited number of kimonos she had. It took her forever to pick this one and another enternity to tie that damned obi. Not once today did he see her not smiling, nor did she turn once into the kimono wearing "oni" when she was cross. He grinned as he re-counted the numerous times the only girl he knew turned into a mini-twister, ravaging the land she walked on, making each man in the dojo run for shelter. Honestly she had a worse temper than he did. Strangely though, after the tornado quality of her has passed the men in the dojo seemed to be quite enamored by her and return as quickly as they had disappear. He sighed, if only those men disappeared permanently, then life would be easier.
He walked towards her slowly, watching as she prepared the blanket and the picnic basket. They'd gone out several times before and he had always been secretly thankful that she never asked to go somewhere elegant and expensive. He did ask her if she'd like to go to a nice restaurant once, but she declined saying he was being frivulous and that it would be much better if he spent his money for their everyday necessities. He wondered at how such a carefree girl could be so practical when it came to money.
He sat down beside her staring at the river as it started to sparkle against the sun. He could smell the contents of the basket, he was almost sure that she prepared the ritual sashimi, his favorite soba and some yam for dessert. He flopped himself lying down on the blanket staring up at the sky.
~Kirei na... Almost as beautiful that time we took to the inn... Maybe I should ask her if we can... He almost grimaced. Ahou! Stop thinking of those kind of things!
He shielded his face from the sun as it suddenly peeked through the clouds. He frowned as he was brought back to the reality of how he was going to tell her to go back to Edo. It's not that he was afraid of the "oni" coming back to life. It wasn't because he was afraid to go to Kyoto alone. It wasn't even because they had already crossed the line of intimacy. Although he placed great value to that aspect of their relationship, he wasn't afraid if he'd lose that no matter how pleasurable it was. The fact of the matter was, he was tormented of only one thing, severing his ties with her.
------------------------------------------------
"Hajime... I started writing again." she smiled at him while she took out several pieces of paper.
He was a bit startled, she always smiled at him but this time, it seemed more brighter? Kuso... I'm being stupid.
Suddenly she broke out in a song... A song so vaguely familiar... Where did he hear it before?
*(Authors note: This song is actually in Filipino... It is not mine, but a favorite song of mine so I translated it to english. The song was composed by Wency Cornejo back in the 90s. If you'd like to hear the "lady" redition done by Regine Velasquez please let me know and I will send it to you...)
~Nais kong mabuhay sa haba ng panahon...
~Kung ito'y lilipas na ika'y kapiling ko...
~Ang aking buhay... Sa yo... Ibibigay...
I want to live for all enternity.
If this eternity will flow while you are with me.
My life.. To you.. I give...
~Tangi kong panalangin ay pagsamu mo.
~Kailan may di magmamaliw and apoy sa puso ko.
~Habang may buhay...
~Hangga't ang dugo ko ay dumadaloy.
~Sayo lamang iaalay ang aking buhay.
~Ang aking buhay... Sa yo... Ibibigay...
My only prayer is your surrender
Never will the fire in my heart disappear.
While there is life.
While my blood flows
Only to you I will offer my life
My life... To you... I give...
~Kung tayo'y magwawalay
~Ako'y mabibigo, di na nanaising pang ituloy ang buhay ko
~Habang may buhay...
~Hangga't ang dugo ko ay dumadaloy.
~Sayo lamang iaalay ang aking buhay.
~Ang aking buhay... Sa yo... Ibibigay...
If we part ways
I'll be crestfallen, with no will to live my life.
While there is life...
While my blood flows
Only to you I will offer my life
My life... To you... I give...
~Ibig kong malaman mo hanggang sa dulo ng mundo
~Ang pangarap ko'y sa yo.
I want you to know until the end of this world,
My dreams are for you.
*
------------------------------------
Now where did he hear that song? He wracked his mind for an answer, but so many things were playing in his mind that he couldn't figure it out.
"What do you think?" Midori waited nervously...
"About?" Hajime stared at her blankly.
"THE SONG???" Midori stopped herself from the usual pout. "I started writing again! I finished it!"
"It's good." He still couldn't figure out why the song bugged him.
"Oh.." Midori replied, obviously sounding disappointed. "I guess since it doesn't have piano accompaniment then, I guess it doesn't sound as good."
"Sou ka.. I was wondering where I heard that." Hajime took the papers from her hand and looked it over. There were five pages in total, the first one was smeared of course in blood.
~Now why didn't I remember this?
"I thought I'd finish it for ummm..." She fidgeted.
"For what?" Saitou narrowed his eyes at the young woman wondering if she had any idea about what he was going to do.
"Well it's my birthday today..." She smiled sheepishly. Hajime's eyes widened, twice shocked was a little bit more than he'd like to bear with right now.
"Hajime.. Don't worry. I'm not expecting anything.. You and I, well we never discussed it. So when's yours?" She reached out and hugged him.
"The first of the first month." He replied monotonously.
"What a wonderful name... Hajime... Your parents obviously cared for you to name you as such... The first of the first... Anata no..." She closed her eyes as she held him tighter.
Hajime lost his balance and they both fell towards the blanket. Midori didn't move away but stayed there, half of her body on top of his. She crept up to his face and gave him light kiss, instinctively he reached towards her lips again to demand more. As he savored her mouth, he ran his hands along her hair and down along the line of her back.
~Sweet as Pomegranate...
It would've probably gone a lot further had he not noticed the sound of a familiar voice snickering in the background. He let go of her gently and propped himself up.
"Souzi... Come out.." several cross marks appeared on Saitou's face.
"Oh hi minna... I was just passing through... I didn't know you were there..." The boy was turning red trying to control himself from further snickering.
"It's okay Souzi. It's not like you don't know already." Midori stood up and led the young man to sit closer with them. Okita though made sure there was enough distance between him and Saitou and that he was on Midori's side of the blanket.
"Midori... What did Souzi tell you?" Saitou glared at Okita.
"Oh nothing that you don't already know." Midori got up and kissed Hajime in front of Okita. Souzi literraly saw Hajime turned to a beet, so he snickered a little bit more.
"STOP THAT!" Hajime ordered, not sure whether he was saying it to Midori who kept teasing him with kisses or if it was meant for Souzi who kept snickering.
"You and Midori are a bit Hentai..." Souzi snickered more and Midori laughed so hard she kept grabbing her stomach.
"WATCH WHAT YOU SAY SOUZI OR ELSE...."
"Okay Saitou-san... Gomenasai... " Souzi smiled in relief.
~Looks like I was wrong.. Hijikata just wanted them to have some private time together...
The afternoon went by with the three eating, conversing and teasing each other. Well basically the two teasing Hajime was more like it. For that brief moment, Hajime forgot he was going to tell her goodbye.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was almost dusk when Souzi left them. Midori had started cleaning up. Hajime leaned himself by a Sakura tree smoking. It should've been so easy to just tell her to go. There were so many reasons she should.
~There's no other way to approach this than to appeal to her reason...
He grimaced, as long as he'd known her, she wasn't a very logical/reasonable person. A little bit too passionate for his taste.
"Let's walk back Hajime. I have to prepare supper." She grabbed his hand and led him walking towards the Shieitan.
As they walked closer to the dojo, hajime felt his feet drag. He has not accomplished what he set out to do. He pulled on Midori's hand and led her to the side of the road.
"What is it?" She asked deviously. "You are getting naughtier and naughtier Hajime-KUN!"
He shook his head and lighted a cigarette.
"When are you going to quit?"
"That's not important right now."
Midori stared at his face, hoping to find a clue on what changed Hajime's disposition so suddenly. The amber eyes got the same lost look again from this morning. She held her breath.
"I want to tell you..."
"Yes?" She waited anxiously. He'd only told her he loved her once. She would appreciate it if he would do so again at this moment.
"I'm sorry I didn't get you anything for your birthday."
"That's it?" She smiled in relief "Don't worry about that... I said we never discussed it." She turned to leave.
"No... There's something else." Hajime said coldly.
Midori did not turn. Something was bothering her and whenever that cold voice of him came out, it meant bad news.
"You have to leave. Go back to your parents in Edo."
~Am I hearing this right? Go back? Is he getting rid of me? Is he tired of me?
She held to the picnic basket tightly as if it would help her at that moment.
"May I ask why?" she barely managed to say.
"It's safer for you."
~Oh so it's only that. But I'm fine with all this...
She turned abruptly to him.
"No... I feel safe here. I don't want to leave."
Hajime's eyes burned for a moment but returned to their cold gold color.
"I can't keep you safe."
"You don't have to. I can take care of myself and there are other people like Okita who will help."
"I.... I have a duty and so does Okita and the others... You have to go back, it is not safe for you."
"That's like throwing me back to the wolves!" She was shaking... "What do you think I'll do with Akio? About my parents?"
Saitou gulped. Her parents house arrest was the one thing he conveniently ignored to tell Midori about because he did not want to worry her. If it ever leaked out to Midori that he conveniently forgot this detail she will be ferocious. He tried to think of a way to avert the disaster, but decided to tell her the truth. The truth after all would easily accomplish what he set out to do.
"Your parents need you. They are under house arrest. I believe Akio can still help you. I bet he still feels favorably towards you."
Midori couldn't believe what he was saying. It sounded so much that he was getting rid of her.
"When were you planning to tell me about my parents? Why did it take you more than two months to tell me this?" Anger was creeping into her voice.
"I don't know why, but since it's another reason for you to go back home..." Saitou wondered if that was the correct answer... He was tired of thinking.
"Well... Well... The great pupil of Hijikata finally shows his true color! Damn you! My father was right about you. You've had your fun and now you just want to get rid of me." She shouted at him angrily.
"No that's not it." Saitou kept a straight face, making sure that he doesn't come any closer to Midori to comfort her.
"Well what is it?"
"Don't make this hard... I already told you it's safer in Edo. It's for your own good." He lighted a cigarette.
"Oh spare me!" Midori took the picnic basket and threw it at his face. He blocked it with his arm. "Maybe it is MUCH better to go back! Maybe Akio will even take me back! He might not be the greatest guy in the world but I know one thing is for sure, his feelings never changed. Yours change like the WEATHER!"
He wasn't sure how to handle her rebuttal. He hated the thought of Midori and Akio getting back together, but out of pride he said something he would regret for a long time.
~Go back to him. Maybe even he can find someone to fix those hands of yours.
--------------------------------------------------------
Saitou spent the night at a small dilapidated bar and the end of Tama. He sat himself at the far corner of the room drinking until the bar owner told him they were closing. He refused to leave. He was so drunk that he could barely feel his hands as he lifted another shot of sake to his lips. Kuso! Women are Baka!
"Saitou-san... Saitou-san... Wake up!" Okita shook Hajime who fell asleep on the table heavily.
"Hmm?" Saitou vaguely saw the boy with the blue eyes.. There was another man standing behind him, but he couldn't make it out with his blurred vision.
"Here I'll help you." The unnamed man took Saitou's shoulder and Okita took the other as they helped him up and out of the bar.
"Souzi..." Hajime croaked. "Is she?"
Souzi threw Hijikata a hard look, then through gritted teeth said, "yes."
Saitou let himself drift in and out of conciousness as the two men took him home.
OTHER: Okay... To those reading this story.. I took off most of the authors notes so please just read the notes from prior chapters... Also since fanfiction has this thing against answering reviewers in the story... If you would like to see my answers to your review, please check my profile and there I will post my answers/thoughts. I hope you enjoy the story. Critiques please, please let me know... What you hate.. What you like.. What I need to work on...
WARNING: This fic is OOC, especially this chapter...
~ or italics are thoughts
* others/sounds/etc
CHAPTER XVI - His and Her Mistakes
"Damn it!" Okita stomped his feet as he went back into the dojo. He walked to the very back to join Saitou's trainees. He just stood there staring at them. Some where squatting, sitting, leaning, anything but going to formation. Such a sorry lot Saitou's trainees were. He stomped his foot again and cursed under his breath.
~I'm not training today. It's not fair Saitou and Midori left without me.
He took out the note Saitou left for him earlier and threw it against the wall. The men stared at him as he walked away.
~That's it. I'm following them...
"OKITA SOUZI!!!" Hijikata shouted. "S O U ZI!!!"
~Damn it! Why is he calling me? Ignore... Ignore...
Hijikata sprinted to the door blocking Souzi's way out.
"Where are you going?" Hijikata asked as he panted.
"I'm following them." Souzi tried to walk past Hijikata.
"You have duties today..." Hijikata shouted.
"WHAT DUTIES???? Saitou didn't even ask me if I'll fill in for him... NO WAY!!!" Okita shot a look at the men at the back and pointed. "They're hopeless..."
The men at the back heard and sweatdropped.
"That's an order!!! You are not disturbing those two!" Hijikata took Souzi's arm and dragged him towards the further side of the garden to get some privacy.
"Itai..... Itai...." Okita cursed under his breath again. "What are you up to Toshi?"
"Just let them be. You'll just be a nuisance. They need to spend time together. You know how it is." Hijikata almost winked at Okita.
"Huh????" Souzi narrowed his eyes. "Hijikata-san you better spill or I'm going out there whether you like it or not. You know I run faster than anyone here."
Hijikata let go of Okita and frowned at the young man. "You've known me long enough Okita. You'll just have to trust me on this one."
"That's all? You've got nothing better than that?"
"No."
Souzi bowed to Toshi. "I've got to go. That's not enough for me. Did you see Saitou-san this morning? I haven't seen him that way since the day Midori went missing."
"It's for the best Souzi."
Okita bowed lower and ran off.
~Gomenasai Hijikata-san. I've known you too well to have trifle motives..
-----------------------------------------
It was the first genuine spring day that year. The Sakura was starting to bloom and Midori could smell the fresh earth. They walked along a path surrounded by Sakura trees and right next to it was a long bending river. She leaned closer to Hajime as they walked.
~Oh what a perfect day! she thought to herself.
She was a little worried ealrier back in the dojo when she saw Hajime walking around mindlessly with a lost look in his eyes. All that though was now gone. Hajime although quite quiet that day, kept showering her with warm smiles and continuously held her hand.
~Yes it's such a perfect day...
She looked around to pick a spot for them. A nice spot with a view was what she wanted so she could lay down the blanket she brought and they could enjoy a picnic together. She easily spotted a clearing between two large Sakura trees and an out of place pomegranate tree, the view was good too, they could easily sit back and watch the river as they sat beside it's banks.
~Kami-sama... Perfect!
She let go of his hand and ran over to the spot, motioning to Hajime to hurry up and sit with her.
----------------------------------------
Hajime watched Midori from a distance. She was wearing a skyblue kimono with a pink obi tied in an elaborate knot. He grinned. He saw her earlier in their room going through the limited number of kimonos she had. It took her forever to pick this one and another enternity to tie that damned obi. Not once today did he see her not smiling, nor did she turn once into the kimono wearing "oni" when she was cross. He grinned as he re-counted the numerous times the only girl he knew turned into a mini-twister, ravaging the land she walked on, making each man in the dojo run for shelter. Honestly she had a worse temper than he did. Strangely though, after the tornado quality of her has passed the men in the dojo seemed to be quite enamored by her and return as quickly as they had disappear. He sighed, if only those men disappeared permanently, then life would be easier.
He walked towards her slowly, watching as she prepared the blanket and the picnic basket. They'd gone out several times before and he had always been secretly thankful that she never asked to go somewhere elegant and expensive. He did ask her if she'd like to go to a nice restaurant once, but she declined saying he was being frivulous and that it would be much better if he spent his money for their everyday necessities. He wondered at how such a carefree girl could be so practical when it came to money.
He sat down beside her staring at the river as it started to sparkle against the sun. He could smell the contents of the basket, he was almost sure that she prepared the ritual sashimi, his favorite soba and some yam for dessert. He flopped himself lying down on the blanket staring up at the sky.
~Kirei na... Almost as beautiful that time we took to the inn... Maybe I should ask her if we can... He almost grimaced. Ahou! Stop thinking of those kind of things!
He shielded his face from the sun as it suddenly peeked through the clouds. He frowned as he was brought back to the reality of how he was going to tell her to go back to Edo. It's not that he was afraid of the "oni" coming back to life. It wasn't because he was afraid to go to Kyoto alone. It wasn't even because they had already crossed the line of intimacy. Although he placed great value to that aspect of their relationship, he wasn't afraid if he'd lose that no matter how pleasurable it was. The fact of the matter was, he was tormented of only one thing, severing his ties with her.
------------------------------------------------
"Hajime... I started writing again." she smiled at him while she took out several pieces of paper.
He was a bit startled, she always smiled at him but this time, it seemed more brighter? Kuso... I'm being stupid.
Suddenly she broke out in a song... A song so vaguely familiar... Where did he hear it before?
*(Authors note: This song is actually in Filipino... It is not mine, but a favorite song of mine so I translated it to english. The song was composed by Wency Cornejo back in the 90s. If you'd like to hear the "lady" redition done by Regine Velasquez please let me know and I will send it to you...)
~Nais kong mabuhay sa haba ng panahon...
~Kung ito'y lilipas na ika'y kapiling ko...
~Ang aking buhay... Sa yo... Ibibigay...
I want to live for all enternity.
If this eternity will flow while you are with me.
My life.. To you.. I give...
~Tangi kong panalangin ay pagsamu mo.
~Kailan may di magmamaliw and apoy sa puso ko.
~Habang may buhay...
~Hangga't ang dugo ko ay dumadaloy.
~Sayo lamang iaalay ang aking buhay.
~Ang aking buhay... Sa yo... Ibibigay...
My only prayer is your surrender
Never will the fire in my heart disappear.
While there is life.
While my blood flows
Only to you I will offer my life
My life... To you... I give...
~Kung tayo'y magwawalay
~Ako'y mabibigo, di na nanaising pang ituloy ang buhay ko
~Habang may buhay...
~Hangga't ang dugo ko ay dumadaloy.
~Sayo lamang iaalay ang aking buhay.
~Ang aking buhay... Sa yo... Ibibigay...
If we part ways
I'll be crestfallen, with no will to live my life.
While there is life...
While my blood flows
Only to you I will offer my life
My life... To you... I give...
~Ibig kong malaman mo hanggang sa dulo ng mundo
~Ang pangarap ko'y sa yo.
I want you to know until the end of this world,
My dreams are for you.
*
------------------------------------
Now where did he hear that song? He wracked his mind for an answer, but so many things were playing in his mind that he couldn't figure it out.
"What do you think?" Midori waited nervously...
"About?" Hajime stared at her blankly.
"THE SONG???" Midori stopped herself from the usual pout. "I started writing again! I finished it!"
"It's good." He still couldn't figure out why the song bugged him.
"Oh.." Midori replied, obviously sounding disappointed. "I guess since it doesn't have piano accompaniment then, I guess it doesn't sound as good."
"Sou ka.. I was wondering where I heard that." Hajime took the papers from her hand and looked it over. There were five pages in total, the first one was smeared of course in blood.
~Now why didn't I remember this?
"I thought I'd finish it for ummm..." She fidgeted.
"For what?" Saitou narrowed his eyes at the young woman wondering if she had any idea about what he was going to do.
"Well it's my birthday today..." She smiled sheepishly. Hajime's eyes widened, twice shocked was a little bit more than he'd like to bear with right now.
"Hajime.. Don't worry. I'm not expecting anything.. You and I, well we never discussed it. So when's yours?" She reached out and hugged him.
"The first of the first month." He replied monotonously.
"What a wonderful name... Hajime... Your parents obviously cared for you to name you as such... The first of the first... Anata no..." She closed her eyes as she held him tighter.
Hajime lost his balance and they both fell towards the blanket. Midori didn't move away but stayed there, half of her body on top of his. She crept up to his face and gave him light kiss, instinctively he reached towards her lips again to demand more. As he savored her mouth, he ran his hands along her hair and down along the line of her back.
~Sweet as Pomegranate...
It would've probably gone a lot further had he not noticed the sound of a familiar voice snickering in the background. He let go of her gently and propped himself up.
"Souzi... Come out.." several cross marks appeared on Saitou's face.
"Oh hi minna... I was just passing through... I didn't know you were there..." The boy was turning red trying to control himself from further snickering.
"It's okay Souzi. It's not like you don't know already." Midori stood up and led the young man to sit closer with them. Okita though made sure there was enough distance between him and Saitou and that he was on Midori's side of the blanket.
"Midori... What did Souzi tell you?" Saitou glared at Okita.
"Oh nothing that you don't already know." Midori got up and kissed Hajime in front of Okita. Souzi literraly saw Hajime turned to a beet, so he snickered a little bit more.
"STOP THAT!" Hajime ordered, not sure whether he was saying it to Midori who kept teasing him with kisses or if it was meant for Souzi who kept snickering.
"You and Midori are a bit Hentai..." Souzi snickered more and Midori laughed so hard she kept grabbing her stomach.
"WATCH WHAT YOU SAY SOUZI OR ELSE...."
"Okay Saitou-san... Gomenasai... " Souzi smiled in relief.
~Looks like I was wrong.. Hijikata just wanted them to have some private time together...
The afternoon went by with the three eating, conversing and teasing each other. Well basically the two teasing Hajime was more like it. For that brief moment, Hajime forgot he was going to tell her goodbye.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was almost dusk when Souzi left them. Midori had started cleaning up. Hajime leaned himself by a Sakura tree smoking. It should've been so easy to just tell her to go. There were so many reasons she should.
~There's no other way to approach this than to appeal to her reason...
He grimaced, as long as he'd known her, she wasn't a very logical/reasonable person. A little bit too passionate for his taste.
"Let's walk back Hajime. I have to prepare supper." She grabbed his hand and led him walking towards the Shieitan.
As they walked closer to the dojo, hajime felt his feet drag. He has not accomplished what he set out to do. He pulled on Midori's hand and led her to the side of the road.
"What is it?" She asked deviously. "You are getting naughtier and naughtier Hajime-KUN!"
He shook his head and lighted a cigarette.
"When are you going to quit?"
"That's not important right now."
Midori stared at his face, hoping to find a clue on what changed Hajime's disposition so suddenly. The amber eyes got the same lost look again from this morning. She held her breath.
"I want to tell you..."
"Yes?" She waited anxiously. He'd only told her he loved her once. She would appreciate it if he would do so again at this moment.
"I'm sorry I didn't get you anything for your birthday."
"That's it?" She smiled in relief "Don't worry about that... I said we never discussed it." She turned to leave.
"No... There's something else." Hajime said coldly.
Midori did not turn. Something was bothering her and whenever that cold voice of him came out, it meant bad news.
"You have to leave. Go back to your parents in Edo."
~Am I hearing this right? Go back? Is he getting rid of me? Is he tired of me?
She held to the picnic basket tightly as if it would help her at that moment.
"May I ask why?" she barely managed to say.
"It's safer for you."
~Oh so it's only that. But I'm fine with all this...
She turned abruptly to him.
"No... I feel safe here. I don't want to leave."
Hajime's eyes burned for a moment but returned to their cold gold color.
"I can't keep you safe."
"You don't have to. I can take care of myself and there are other people like Okita who will help."
"I.... I have a duty and so does Okita and the others... You have to go back, it is not safe for you."
"That's like throwing me back to the wolves!" She was shaking... "What do you think I'll do with Akio? About my parents?"
Saitou gulped. Her parents house arrest was the one thing he conveniently ignored to tell Midori about because he did not want to worry her. If it ever leaked out to Midori that he conveniently forgot this detail she will be ferocious. He tried to think of a way to avert the disaster, but decided to tell her the truth. The truth after all would easily accomplish what he set out to do.
"Your parents need you. They are under house arrest. I believe Akio can still help you. I bet he still feels favorably towards you."
Midori couldn't believe what he was saying. It sounded so much that he was getting rid of her.
"When were you planning to tell me about my parents? Why did it take you more than two months to tell me this?" Anger was creeping into her voice.
"I don't know why, but since it's another reason for you to go back home..." Saitou wondered if that was the correct answer... He was tired of thinking.
"Well... Well... The great pupil of Hijikata finally shows his true color! Damn you! My father was right about you. You've had your fun and now you just want to get rid of me." She shouted at him angrily.
"No that's not it." Saitou kept a straight face, making sure that he doesn't come any closer to Midori to comfort her.
"Well what is it?"
"Don't make this hard... I already told you it's safer in Edo. It's for your own good." He lighted a cigarette.
"Oh spare me!" Midori took the picnic basket and threw it at his face. He blocked it with his arm. "Maybe it is MUCH better to go back! Maybe Akio will even take me back! He might not be the greatest guy in the world but I know one thing is for sure, his feelings never changed. Yours change like the WEATHER!"
He wasn't sure how to handle her rebuttal. He hated the thought of Midori and Akio getting back together, but out of pride he said something he would regret for a long time.
~Go back to him. Maybe even he can find someone to fix those hands of yours.
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Saitou spent the night at a small dilapidated bar and the end of Tama. He sat himself at the far corner of the room drinking until the bar owner told him they were closing. He refused to leave. He was so drunk that he could barely feel his hands as he lifted another shot of sake to his lips. Kuso! Women are Baka!
"Saitou-san... Saitou-san... Wake up!" Okita shook Hajime who fell asleep on the table heavily.
"Hmm?" Saitou vaguely saw the boy with the blue eyes.. There was another man standing behind him, but he couldn't make it out with his blurred vision.
"Here I'll help you." The unnamed man took Saitou's shoulder and Okita took the other as they helped him up and out of the bar.
"Souzi..." Hajime croaked. "Is she?"
Souzi threw Hijikata a hard look, then through gritted teeth said, "yes."
Saitou let himself drift in and out of conciousness as the two men took him home.