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...
or italics are thoughts
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CHAPTER 34: A Puppet with Gold and a Mix of Sake?
A small walk towards the south led the remaining guest to the entrance hall of the Mimawarigumi's headquarters. The main hall was well lighted and the guest were greeted by musicians playing the "koto". There were low tables across the room, each one decorated by a gold cloth and sashimi and sushi in the shape of a pelican catching a fish. The ladies murmured again as they entered the room, their eyes fixated on the jade frog sculpture centerpiece and on the China with blue and gold trimmings. It was apparent Akio did not scrimp on anything, even the chopstick was of quality. The men walked in right behind the women who were "oh"ing and "ah"ing and some men couldn't help but snicker. Everyone finally settled down and drinks started to be served.
Sasaki made sure that Hijikata was located at the far end of the table right beside Kondou and Serizawa. He made it such that the seating order was reversed and that the captains in particular Saitou sat just an arms length away from the bride and groom citing the fact that the Commanders should be right in front (opposite) of the couple so that they may enjoy a "healthy" conversation. Of course Hijikata saw through the whole thing but he was reprimanded earlier by Kondou when he was being TOO "noisy". The seating arrangement around the low table was the couple's family to the right (of the couple), followed by the Mimawarigumi, then Sasaki, Hijikata, Kondou, Serizawa at the center and then the Shinsengumi captains to the left of the couple. Fortunately (or was it unfortunately) enough Sasaki forgot that the groom would be sitting at the left and Midori to the right such that Saitou sat directly beside her. Akio did not seemed bothered at all and continued to smile (or was it smirk) at the San-ban-tai Kumichou.
Saitou on the other hand shook his head slowly. He distracted himself with the shallow women who were still "oh"ing and "ah"ing, asking himself why the nobility and politicians choose such shallow women. Surely there must be some women who can think for themselves. These women spoke volumes of their husband. Then a grin passed his lips, of course, nobilities and politicians need a pretty face much more than they needed a brain… How exasperating would it be to have a woman who goes against your wishes or even outwit them? It was at this moment that Saitou realized something… What did Akio want with Midori? She certainly had beauty but compared to most women she would be average. Her family is not from money. She certainly thinks ahead of her time but Akio did not strike him as a person different from the snotty nobilities he had met. Does the ahou really love her? Maybe it was because he was there, Akio considered him competition? So basically all this was his doing?
Harada who was sitting right beside Saitou had already started drinking and was lively conversing with Nagakura and Okita. Being the "friendly" person he was, he of course noticed that no one was speaking with Saitou. He frowned slightly at the bride but tried to strike up a conversation between the two nonetheless…
"Midori! Omedetto! Sorry you and Saitou-san here didn't work out." He patted Saitou's shoulder to which the other stiffened (or was it bristled?).. "Anyway, here have a drink.." He took his sake and motioned to pour some for the bride.
"Ah… No thank you." She refused and turned her head towards Akio and poured a drink for him.
"Eh??? Geez… Tch…" Harada showed his discontent a bit but saw that Saitou was glaring at him. "Ah.. Sumanai Saitou-san… Dozo…" Harada oblivious that he just made an uncomfortable situation worse, just poured the hot sake for Saitou. Saitou did not object and drowned the sake like a man.
Come to think of it she's never seen me drink before. Ah well there's a first time for everything…
Harada was a fast drinker and held his liquor well. Saitou was too, but he was no competition when it came to Harada. Harada had a bottomless pit and Saitou did not realize the pace he was going at. Midori of course watched through the corner of her eye and sighed.
I wonder if he's drinking a bit too much because of me.. Midori! Don't be a fool, the world doesn't revolve around you…
Well at that moment his world DID revolve around her. Why did Akio relentlessly pursued her? Why did she go back to him? Surely he might've said some things but SURELY she didn't BELIEVE them. All she had to do was wait and he WOULD'VE come back for her. Darn it! He could even get those hands fixed and her family freed IF she waited. Saitou stretched out the cup waiting for Harada… Hurry up ahou. I need a drink…
Needless to say everyone on the left hand side drank merrily and in a few hours time, Nagakura's head started bobbing and Heisuke slept with his head propped up. Okita was "hiccupping" and the three commanders, with the exception of Serizawa who got drunk first, looked at each other wondering why the men got drunk so easily. It was of course a bit embarrassing and the relatives of the couple started looking at each other silly. Yuuta seeing the excellent opportunity stood up and "nudged" Heisuke to the side and sat beside Okita.
"Okita-san, it's been a while…" Yuuta whispered to his ear.
"Hai!" Okita slurred and faced the younger man, their faces just inches away.
"How have you been?" Yuuta propped his head on both hands staring into Okita's blue eyes.
Hiccup. Okita smiled back his eyes dreamy "Fine and you, ANATA?"
"Sugoi…"
Yuuta was inching dangerously closer and everyone knew if no one stopped the opportunist and the young drunk, things will never be the same. Hijikata at once pounced the moment and ordered his men to leave the table then he turned to the couple and apologized profusely. Kondou and Sasaki helped Serizawa up the table while Hijikata bowed deeply in apology for the conduct of his men.
"Akio-kun.. Midori.. Sumanai… I speak for all of us here. We appreciate your graciousness but we have to leave."
"Speak for yourself Hijikata-san!"
All eyes were turned on Saitou who was still sitting and made no intention to move. Midori looked away from the scene.
"I think you've had enough." Hijikata replied calmly.
"Yes I think you have had enough Saitou. Just go home already." Akio jeered at the pissed Captain.
Saitou got up abruptly spilling the sake and sashimi. "Now you look here! I've had enough of you." He placed his hand on the guard of his katana and tried to draw but Hijikata was quick to apprehend the young man. "Hana sei!" He tried to shake of the fukuchou but Hijikata was sober and Saitou in his drunken state was no match.
"Stop this! You are embarrassing us all Saitou!" Hijikata bear hugged the man.
"Midori! Look at me! Now! I know you don't want to be with him. I don't care if you don't want to be with me, but don't get forced into doing this!" Saitou shouted as he was dragged by Hijikata further from the table. "Kami-sama Midori Think for yourself! You are not like the women here, you are not a puppet!"
The women in the room mumbled and glared at Saitou. Akio who was enjoying the scene stepped up. It was then that everyone was herded out except the Mimawarigumi and the remaining Shinsengumi members.
"Let him go Hijikata-san. I cannot let his foul mouth degrade the women here. A little lashing might do him some good." He smirked.
"Anata… Please don't he is intoxicated, he didn't mean it." Midori grabbed hold of Akio's arm but she was pushed away and Akio drew his sword.
Sasaki Tadasaburou just came back into the hall after seeing Kondou and Serizawa off. He sprinted across the room when he saw Akio draw out his sword. He did not think that the Akio will actually fight a drunk man, nor did he think that it would come to THIS. As he ran towards them, he remembered that time….
FLASHBACK
"Sasaki-kun where are you going?" the old man asked concerned.
"They can't take her as a concubine! It's not right! I will stop it!" Sasaki's black eyes gleamed in passion.
"Don't interfere nothing good will come out of it."
"I can't Sensei. Sasue needs me…" Sasaki saw a carriage right outside the gate, no doubt it was her. He started to run towards the gate but the old man blocked him.
"Sensei… Please step aside."
"This is not your business…" the old man stood like a rock blocking his path.
Sasaki got to his knees and bowed. "Sensei. Please understand this is MY business. If she goes and becomes "his", it will be the end of... me."
"Do the two of you have an understanding?" the old man said softly.
"Iie… I've never said anything." The young man replied regretfully.
"Ah… Youth… such are the consequences. I will let you go but if she rejects you promise me that you will leave peacefully." The old man helped the youth up and held his shoulders.
"Hai Sensei!"
Sasaki ran towards the group shouting her name.
END OF FLASHBACK
Tatsuo suma… I think I went a little too far… What was I thinking? I already know Akio's a bad lot and I have no idea what the arrangement is between Saitou and Midori. It is TOO late now. What have I done?
"Sasaki-san… Please do something." The bride begged through watery eyes.
"Akio stop this nonsense!" Sasaki shouted.
"He's insulted every lady here and have disgraced us." Akio positioned himself to fight.
"Are you really going to fight a drunk?" Sasaki implored. "Much less a restrained man?"
"I will fight anyone who disgraces me. Let him go Hijikata-san!"
"Iie. I'm sorry for the trouble but I can't do that." Hijikata replied angrily.
"Hana sei Hijikata. I can take this man." Saitou eyed Akio. "She does not have to stay with him. He is forcing himself and I CAN PROVE IT!"
So this is what's going on… Sasaki took the trembling girl to the side. "You've let this go on between them?" Sasaki shook his head disapprovingly.
"I didn't know. I thought they were fine now. I already said good bye to Saitou. I already married Akio… What else can I do?"
"Look Midori… Even I… Even I wasn't convinced that you have given up Saitou-kun. A foolish man like me who was given a second chance thought that I'd be able to return the favor to… Sasue…Anyway… What's done is done. You have to make it painfully clear who you are with now. No more passing glances and secret stares. You've made your choice and stick with it. I am not fond of your husband but for everyone's sake I'll tell you this, Akio is a prideful man and he HAS noticed and mentioned to this to me. Go and be his sheath, it is your DUTY as his wife."
She forced herself up and stood between the two of them. Akio felt his stomach turn as a frightfully familiar scene started in his head. Will she run off again??
"Tell him Midori. Tell him exactly what you want and how you feel." Saitou was calm now but Hijikata did not dare let him go.
Akio restrained himself and stood where he was. He looked at her up and down searching for another dagger that might be hidden in the fold of her white kimono. He furrowed his brow and breathe heavily. Kami-sama not again…
"Akio… I married you…" She looked at him with forlorn eyes. "That should tell you something…"
Then she settled her eyes on Hajime. "I do think for myself. I did make a decision. Why are you questioning that?"
"Demo… " Saitou searched her straight face.
"Please Hajime, respect my husband. He can be hard-headed sometimes and maybe arrogant, but I've chosen him. I didn't choose him because you didn't want me or that I had to. I chose him because he is good for me and my family. I thought for myself. I am no one's puppet." She finished. It was hard to choose words that were true that didn't hurt too much. "You said you'll come here as my friend, please leave as one."
Hajime suddenly felt a dizzying soberness in him. Her words made sense all of a sudden, whether it was true or not did not matter anymore. What mattered was that she chose and she didn't choose him.
"Sou ka.. Wakatta. Sumimasen…" Hijikata let go of Saitou slowly and walked with him out. Concern was etched all over Hijikata's face.
NOTES:
PLEASE EXCUSE MY NUMEROUS MISTAKES IN CHAPTER 32. I HAVE NOT GONE AND FIXED IT YET BUT UPON READING, I SAW SO MANY ERRORS I FELT REALLY ASHAMED. I'M USING MS WORD NOW SO HOPEFULLY THE GRAMMAR / SPELLING WILL BE ACCEPTABLE.
QUESTION READERS: SHOULD I FINISH HERE OR SHOULD I REALLY GO THE FULL LENGTH OF THIS STORY THAT TURNED TO AN EPIC? I THINK I CAN GO TO AROUND 40 CHAPTERS FOR A DEFINITE FINISH, BUT I THINK THAT YOU MUST BE WEARY READING THIS AND MY INEXCUSABLE BEHAVIOR OF TAKING TOO LONG TO UPDATE, ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU PROBABLY KNOW HOW IT'S GOING TO END...