Yuuta watched his sister sleep. He himself had not had a wink of sleep since he spent the night and part of the morning borrowing money here and there from a few friends. Thankfully he gathered enough to pay for a few more days stay at the inn. The next day passed quickly and it was beginning to get dark so he decided to go downstairs and procure some ramen noodles that his sister loved. He was careful to enter the room once again to not wake his sister but she was already awake.
"Nee-san… Have some breakfast." He said in a low voice.
Midori did not get up but continued to lie on her belly. "Yuuta… I certainly made a big mistake didn't I?"
Yuuta shook his head and sat beside her. The room was dark since Yuuta thought that it would not be wise to open the windows, so he reached out and lit up the lamp beside them. "Don't say that. You only did what you had to."
She didn't respond so he started to twist the noodles in an effort to feed her.
"Here I know it's your favorite so don't waste this…" He lifted the chopsticks close to her mouth. She couldn't open her mouth fully so he only got a few pieces each time.
"Would you like to tell me what's happened nee-san?"
The girl couldn't help but let a tear escape.
"Tell me please. No secrets right? You already know mine…" He smiled sheepishly.
He didn't want to force her but at the same time he desperately needed to know why Akio of all people would hurt her. He'd never known Akio to be belligerent towards his sister. He adored her. There was no reason to especially now that they were married.
"Nee-san?"
"Oh Yuuta… I made a mistake…" she had started sobbing.
"You can tell me."
"I should've known this was going to happen… I was so naïve..."
"It's okay to be…"
"No. I didn't know I would disgrace Akio." She cried some more.
Yuuta placed the food down on the floor and held his sister's hand.
"I'm here. You can tell me anything…"
"I was not clean… He found out…" she was trying to catch her breath. "I think he knew the first night we spent together… because… because he had been going out every night and not returning home. When he would do so, he was nasty and intoxicated… I didn't know what to do…"
He held her hand a little tighter and took out a wash cloth. He wiped her face that was now starting to swell.
"I thought he had gotten over it. You know he sobered up. Then all of a sudden he insisted that I go to a doctor, so I did a few days ago. He was so worried about me saying that I might be sick…"
"What did the doctor say?"
"I don't know… After the physical Akio wouldn't let me see the doctor anymore. He was so distraught yesterday. And he came home nasty again… I've never seen him so mad in my whole life. He wouldn't talk to me... He just dragged me by the hair and kept beating me. He kept hitting my stomach and I felt I might have internal injury… So I started running..."
"Kami-sama… Nee-san… It's okay I'm here now."
"I don't know what I did… He kept hitting me over and over again in the stomach. It was so painful... I kept gagging… I ran away and he shot me when I got to the door…" She shivered and cried uncontrollably. "It was my fault though. I shouldn't have married him when I wasn't clean…"
"What do you mean nee-san?"
"Yuuta… When I was in Tama… I loved Saitou very much… I was happy..."
"I know… "He replied concerned. Which is why I don't understand why you're with Akio anyway…
"He was my most precious person… I couldn't help it… I let him take me because… I… I loved him so much…"
Yuuta did not need to hear anymore. It was clear now what had happened. Akio had always been a jealous man. He looked at his sister in pity. She couldn't move, not even to dry her own tears. At that moment he wanted to leave her and find Akio… Not just Akio but Saitou as well. It was their fault that his beloved sister was laying here battered. It was both their fault.
"You take a rest. I'm just going outside for a minute. I need some air." Yuuta's reply was restrained. He left the room despite Midori's protest.
Harada led the other two captains to his favorite spot in Shimabara, the Gion-ya. The Gion-ya was rumored to be the most expensive place in the red light district and thus in Harada's mind should hold the most beautiful Geiko's (Kyoto's Geisha). They had a lot of money to spend that night and by Kami Harada will make sure each and every penny was spent! It was not everyday that they can come to a decent place, only the affluent could afford the Gion each day.
"One room please and make sure we have three entertainers ready! Don't forget the sake. Give us six bottles and make sure to keep them coming." He commanded the receptionist.
"Sir… I'm afraid we're don't have a private room for you. Sumimasen…" the woman bowed.
"WHAT??? When will one be available? You can't have us waiting here! We're customers! This is NOT a good first impression!" Harada was indignant.
The young man beside Harada blushed. "Harada-san keep it down…"
"NO!!! I WANT A ROOM NOW!!!"
"Sir you'll have to wait. I'm sorry but for the meantime why don't you sit in the bar. A room should open soon."
"WELL THIS IS AN INCONVENIENCE!"
Okita tugged at Saitou's hoari but the latter was just smirking at the fiasco.
"WHAT DO YOU INTEND TO DO ABOUT THIS???? WELL I GUESS THE GION ISN'T REALLY SUCH A GREAT PLACE!" Harada spoke louder and louder for everyone to hear. By this time Harada now had the attention of the guest..
"Sir.. Please…"
"NO!"
The woman sighed and whispered to him…
"Ah okay! That will be fine then. You're lucky I'm feeling generous right now…"
Finally the three were led to the bar and as the lady was leaving…
"OH EVERYONE! THIS ROUND OF SAKE IS ON ME!" Harada shouted and raised his glass.
"Harada-san… What're you doing… We won't have enough money for later…" Okita whispered.
"Don't worry Okita-kun! That lady there just bought us free drinks." He then winked at the lady.
The lady bowed at him and then turned around. Once out of sight, she rolled her eyes and muttered, "How unlucky… We have another crude guest…"
An hour went by and as expected, Harada was well on his way to nirvana. So even though Okita tried to hold a conversation with him, there was no use. Okita had been feeling nervous all night as it had been his first time in "that" kind of establishment. He worried that when they finally DO get a room, what the heck was he supposed to do? He looked around the bar and he could see various ladies with their face painted white. Quite dainty and attractive, most of them though were sitting with rather unattractive men.
Now why would they do that?
He looked towards his left. Saitou had been silent the whole time, as was customary when he was drinking. Okita knew though that in a few moments if drunk enough, if he were to strike a conversation with Saitou, the latter would be a chatter box. Always lamenting about Japan, how they as men are needed and that he has a FEW ideas of his own that he'd like to see to practice. No definitely not, Souji did not want to hear THAT story again. Not when he was still sober. And not when in just a few moments he will become a man…
I'm sure Hijikata-san didn't send me here for this… No… I must be here to look around… Maybe those men are here… Maybe he got word…
Okita took sip of the sake. He liked the taste of warm sake. It was easy to down and it went smoothly down his throat. Still though, he held himself back. I don't know when they'll show up but I'm ready…
Yuuta raced himself downstairs. He frowned as he heard noises as he came on the second floor of the Gion. He could hear laughter and singing from behind the Shoji doors. He found it rather amazing that the place could transform into mayhem and a loveshack after the sun goes down. The place was like a devils haven, with Satan's minions dancing around and drinking. It didn't really annoy him yesterday but today it was just unbearable, probably because he was teeming with anger.
He proceeded to the ground floor and the same scene greeted him… Only now there was less "ohh"ng and "ahh"ng and more actual music going on. Still it annoyed him. He ran past the receptionist and was about to go out the door when he noticed three men wearing the Shinsengumi uniform.
Well this is a good place to start. Maybe they can take me to Saitou! He thought angrily.
He walked briskly towards them, his face in a pout.
"Hey you! You're from the Shinsengumi right??? I NEED TO TALK TO SAITOU" he shouted, not covering the annoyed tone of his voice.
Harada didn't hear of course as he was busy flirting with one of the ladies. But the young man named Okita Souzi heard and he turned around.
"Yuuta-kun?? What are you doing here? How are you?"
Yuuta was not in the mood for pleasantries so he dismissed the Souzi's questions. "Do you know where that yarou Saitou is?"
Souzi was indeed surprised. Afraid that Saitou might hear, he dragged Yuuta to the corner.
"What's the problem?" Okita asked.
"A LOT AND YOU BETTER TELL ME WHERE HE IS BECAUSE BY KAMI, I WILL RIP HIM TO PIECES." Yuuta replied loudly.
"Hang on… This is not a good time. Maybe you two can talk tomorrow."
"SO HE'S HERE?"
"You know you don't really belong here and maybe you should cool off before you face Saitou-san." Okita pleaded.
Yuuta did not respond to Souzi. The yarou was there and Yuuta knew it. He pushed Souzi aside and tapped the back of the man flirting with the ladies.
Saitou of course heard what was going on but continued to drink. He'll find me soon.
Harada turned around. "Hoi… You're in getting in the way of my good time, so go scurry somewhere else."
So you all are a bunch of ashols! Yuuta's anger was just got multiplied by a hundred. "Where's Saitou?"
"Dammit! He's right there are you blind?" Harada answered and pointed at the other end of the bar then went back to the ladies.
Okita was soon back pulling Yuuta but Midori's brother was feeling an adrenaline rush and Souzi for once lost in a battle of strength.
"YAROU! SAITOU YOU YAROU… YOU BETTER TURN AROUND! KUSO!!!"
So he's finally turned into a man… Saitou smirked and continued to drink.
It was only a matter of time… Yuuta was able to grab Saitou's arm, making the latter spill his drink. Saitou now quite tipsy, just about had it with the young man who was cursing his name. He threw Okita a glare of "back-off", then he took Yuuta and dragged him outside of the Gion. Saitou threw the young man against the wall and spitted on the road.
"Now what the hell do you want?" Saitou pushed Yuuta a little harder on the wall. He gripped Yuuta's collar tight enough so that the other could barely breathe.
"You're a scum Saitou. You took advantage of my sister and now you've made her life miserable.." the young man managed to say in between gasps.
Saitou let out a deep breathe, trying to calm himself down. After he did so, he let the young man drop to the ground.
"I'm not going to say this again Yuuta so you better listen up." He paused, "Your sister and I are through and we have nothing to do with each other."
"Yarou.."
Saitou clenched his fist. His amber eyes were striking in the darkness. "You know. Since I moved here to Kyoto, not MANY lived after they called me that. I suggest you do not repeat that to me EVER."
The young man felt himself shrivel at the menacing glare that Saitou projected at him. That won't stop him though he thought to himself, if only for his beloved sister. "You took advantage of her. I come here for revenge."
"Ahou! I did not do such a thing. Then and now!" Saitou shook his head and tried to calm down his nerves. Yuuta was threading on dangerous grounds and with himself a bit drunk, he could almost feel his hands reaching involuntarily for his katana.
At that moment a few men were getting out of the Gion. Saitou's sharp eyes of course caught glimpse of Akio with his father coming out. He muttered a curse under his breath and took Yuuta's head and forcefully bowed it to the ground. Kami, he did not want to fight as of the moment, handling Yuuta was a bit too much. When he was sure the two were out of sight he let go of Yuuta.
"What the hell was that?" the young man asked defiantly.
"None of your business." Saitou looked towards his back again just to make sure. Kuso! It's only been a week since they were married…
Yuuta saw the unguarded moment and dived for Saitou's katana. He had barely gotten an inch out of the blade when Saitou gave him a kick to the stomach that sent him flying against the wall, again.
"You are making this very hard for the both of us."
"I have a right to avenge my sister!"
"What the hell? Calm down first. What has happened to Midori?"
Yuuta now had Saitou's full attention. Frankly Saitou could not even begin to fathom where the young man was going.
"You ruined her. Her marriage! You've hurt her!" Yuuta grimaced at the pain on his side where Saitou kicked him. God if only I have a katana or a dagger…
"She's hurt? Where is she?"
"None of your business!" Saitou just about had it with Yuuta. The lad was not making sense and he had been growing increasingly hot in the haori. Saitou had no more time to waste, he wanted answers and he wanted them now so he took decisive action. He gripped the young man's collar and took out his blade.
"I am a reasonable man Yuuta. If I had hurt your sister, I promise you I did not do so intentionally. If she is in trouble, tell me where she is." Saitou let the blade play on Yuuta's neck.
"NEVER!"
"I don't have time to play games. I know she'll hate me for doing this to you, but I need to know so I can go help her. Do you understand?"
SILENCE.
Saitou pushed the blade slightly cutting the young man. A drop of blood stained his katana.
"I'll find your sister whether you help me or not. But I want to find her now, so don't make me do this… You know well… that I care for her…" The amber eyes were now glowing dangerously.
Yuuta seeing that he bit off more than he could chew, decided that he needed at least one ally in this fight. It might as well be Saitou.
"She's upstairs… She's been shot by Akio." Yuuta was scared. He started to sob when Saitou let go of him.
Saitou turned around silently. It took him a few seconds longer than usual to put the katana back on it's sheath. He then surveyed the area with his eyes, the back of his mind wondering if he can catch up to Akio or if he should go check up Midori. A rage was building up inside of him and it took all his willpower to keep it in check.
"Yuuta… Take me to her."