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...

italics or parenthesis are thoughts

asterisks/bold are others/sounds/etc

CHAPTER 39: Disputable Motives

It didn't take long for the room to be filled with spectators and the police. Both the Mimawarigumi and Shinsengumi who were on patrol that night found their way into that relatively tiny room. The body of Akio was taken out of the room by his own men. As they took him away, the group couldn't help but murmur among themselves speculating at what happened.

"Did you see that woman? I think she killed the vice-commander." Whispered a small recruit as they lifted the body.

"I think it's that Shinsengumi bastard... The one with the scary eyes." He replied as they proceeded out of the room. "I bet that small man from the Shinsengumi is involved also."

Okita turned after hearing the two. He would duel the bastard but there were too many Mimawarigumi watching them, aside from this he heard another remark.

"Either way Moroku-san... He was bound to meet his end with that cocky attitude of his."

"Eh? I don't care whether he lived or not. I'm just glad I didn't have to deal with him everyday..."

Okita shook his head. He had only met the man a couple of times but he instinctively knew not to associate with Akio. He moved to the side to let them all pass. He thought to himself...

Someday... I hope no one speaks harshly of me after just a few moments of my passing...

He couldn't help but feel a slight tinge pity for the vice-commander.

"Okita... Stop daydreaming! Get her out of here, the men and I will stay and give an account of what has happened." Saitou pointed to a stretcher that just entered the room. Wrapping Midori's body in a cleaner sheet he gently let go of her on top of the stretcher.

Okita took the closer end while another recruit held the other. "We'll take her to the headquarters, there's a doctor there."

It was then that Sasaki entered the room, he had heard that his vice-commander was in trouble. He scanned the room and while a recruit whispered to his ear that Akio was killed but the murderer was still unclear.

"We will take the woman." Sasaki demanded as Saitou laid her down on a stretcher.

"That won't do she's heavily wounded and your headquarters are too far. It would be better to take her to our headquarters in Mibu." Saitou replied icily.

"She is the primary suspect, I cannot let her go." The commander said between gritted teeth.

"Sasaki-san, have you forgotten that we the Shinsengumi is part of the peacekeeping force here in Kyoto?" Saitou couldn't help but sneer at the commanding officer. "Are you implying that we are not GOOD enough?"

Okita stared at Saitou. He regarded him very impetuous upon challenging Sasaki, but he also knew that it was at these times that he was called upon to speak.

"Sumimasen Sasaki-san... But it would show good faith if you left this matter into our hands. We were after all the FIRST to be here." Okita handed his end of the stretcher to another recruit then finally motioned the men to move Midori out to the horse drawn carriage.

Sasaki seeing that Okita has already taken matters into his own hands couldn't help but feel slighted. Weren't Akio just commenting the other day that the Shinsengumi needed to learn some manners? Well sure enough, but that is a separate matter and he will have to deal with it later. "Okita-kun... Saitou-kun... I will be the first to visit Mibu in the morning."

Okita bowed deeply. "Yes as you must. Thank you Sasaki-san."

Saitou watched as the last of the Mimawarigumi left the room and his men herd the people out to the streets. His katana was left on the floor and was still dripping with blood, apparently it was overlooked.

"You're very lucky Saitou-san... They forgot that." The young man nodded towards the katana.

"If they're that inept... Then they don't deserve the complete truth." Saitou's golden eyes stared at the blade.

"How many men has that katana of yours killed Saitou-san?"

"Many Souzi... Too many... It has always brought misfortune to those that dared touch it."

Okita couldn't help himself. He dared to touch Saitou's shoulder.

"A sword is only a sword, a good man told me that once. It's the wielder that gives it purpose, not the other way around. You can't fault yourself for things that are beyond your control." Okita narrowed his eyes at Saitou. "You know it doesn't hurt to bad. All you'll feel is a numbness..."

"Urusei Souzi..." Saitou stood up annoyed at Okita. "Let's go back to Mibu."

Souzi I haven't taken anyone's life and I don't intend to take hers...

Letting Okita leave the room first, he quietly dropped the katana to the floor.

"Okita wait here a moment."

"Huh? Saitou-san?" Okita turned around but Saitou was already way ahead of him.

Saitou ran besides one of the Mimawarigumi. "Hey I think you should check the room again. We didn't clean it out but you might find something there. It would be good to show some initiative and be on the good side of your commander."

The young man looked at him quizzically. What is a Shinsengumi Captain giving advice to him for? The man nodded and separated himself from his unit.

i---------------------------------------

Back at Mibu...

Hijikata kept pacing the floor up and down. After hearing the full account from Souzi of what had happened and then hearing Saitou's account of what happened, he knew something did not add up right. Complete opposite accounts and he knew Souzi was not lying to him.

Indeed a woman can be a man's downfall. How many times have I faced the same situation? I've been lucky enough to turn away everytime but I know Saitou will not just abandon her. Not after he lied to me. Baka yarou! Who would believe you Saitou that you killed Akio, when there were several witnesses?

He moved quickly to the room where Midori was kept. The doctor had just left and making sure that no one enters the room unbidden, Hijikata entered with one purpose in his mind. That was to save the Captain of the third troop.

He shook to wake her slowly. He did so as he noticed that almost every part of her body was bandaged. The only part that seemed to have been spared was her face and he was glad. Finally she came to but he couldn't smile at her to re-assure her everything would be alright.

"You know that Saitou will be charged for murder if he continues to say he killed Akio don't you?" he whispered.

Midori not finding her voice just shook her head.

"We've got to do something before Sasaki finds out he killed Akio..."

She had now started sobbing. Hijikata took her hand.

"I'm sorry Midori. You care for him deeply don't you? Will you save him? Will you do anything?"

In the midst of tears she nodded her head vigorously.

"Then will you take a risk? If you lose... The price will be your life... But I can assure you that I will make sure nothing happens to Saitou. From here on, I will also risk my life for him as long as he is part of the Shinsengumi."

Toshizou kept her gaze. It was a big favor to ask, but he had to do it. He was no monster but a scandal like this must be avoided at all cost or else it would result in the early disbandment of the group. Aside from this he knew Saitou did not kill Akio.

Answering feebly Midori squeezed Toshizou's hand. "Take it... Onegai."

He bowed to her masking the tautness of his face. Asking her to rest for the night, he immediately left the room distraught and with a heavy weight on his mind.

i----------------

Okita had just finished giving his report to Hijikata. He had wanted to go check up on both Saitou and Midori but he decided to stop by the doctor who was nursing his friend.

Knocking on the shoji... "Sensei? May I come in?"

"Ah Okita-kun... Dozo..." came the voice of an old man.

"Sumimasen Sensei... I know it's late but I thought I'd know more from you than just by asking Midori herself how she's doing..." Souzi sat himself down on the tatami.

"Ah so Midori is her name ne? For a moment she gave me a scare but I think she will be recovering soon."

"Sou ka! That's good news!" Okita beamed.

"Hai.. Just make sure no one disturbs her too much. Also if you can do me a favor and make sure there is milk and good nutritious food for her. She's going to be eating for two so make sure she's taken cared of."

The doctor handed him a teacup.

"Eh for two?"

"Yes. She will have a baby I think seven months from now. So all of you must treat her with extra care. That poor girl..." The doctor shook his head wondering what had happened.

Souzi placed the teacup down without drinking a sip. He stood up, ready to leave.

"Going so soon?" The doctor sounded disappointed.

"Sorry Sensei... I'm remembered I'm needed elsewhere." Okita ran to the shoji, he stood there wondering. "By the way... Do you know who the father is?"

"Eh? Of course that would be her husband wouldn't it?"

Okita smiled back at him. "Of course. Thank you Sensei. Jaa..." He shut the door behind him eager to tell the news to someone, to anyone.

Hmmm... She's carrying a baby.. Maybe that will change things... How unfortunate Akio died without seeing his child. It can't be helped though, he had it coming.. I wish it was I who killed him. Not his own wife... Not with a child on the way. I must protect Midori from now on. I must tell Kondou-san and Hijikata-san...

i------------------------------

"Kondou-san... She agreed to it. We should leave as soon as possible to meet Sasaki."

"Agreed Toshi. Did you take care of Saitou?"

"Yes I had him detained earlier. We'll let him think we're buying in to his story, just enough time to get a confession out of Midori in front of Sasaki."

Kondou gulped. He felt that what they were doing was underhanded but sometimes the needs of the many far outweigh that of one. Still what was he to say to those who loved her? But it will not be the first time he will plea a silent apology that no one will ever hear. He shook his head and held steadfast to his katana as they walk along the dark road.

Hijikata could see Kondou walking faster and faster with every step. It never fails. Whenever he'd see his friend go faster, just to get something he hated done and over with.

"Kondou-san... It can't be helped." He called softly, but his words fell to deaf ears.

i------------------

"Eh? The Kyokuchou and Fukuchou went out? Eh unattended you say?!" Okita started running from the guard at the gate. "Guard the compound! I'll be back soon."

Geez! I know they like drinking at ungodly hours but one would think they'd include me whenever they decide to have a sake now and then!

Not really sure where the two would be and not wanting to go back to Shimabara, he walked in the direction of North towards the Nijo castle, interestingly enough he took the path leading to the Mimawarigumi.

i-------------------

Sasaki wasted no time, right after filing a death certificate and sending a messenger with the news to Kaneda-san, he changed his clothes and readied himself to leave. Taking a few of his captains and their troops with him, they marched out of the headquarters heading for Mibu. He frowned as he noticed the time, it was a few more hours till dawn but he felt like he wasted too much time. Who knows what could've happened?

There was only one at fault here and it was Saitou. He had his own misgivings, Saitou had a motive that was clear from his talk with Tatsuo and the sword wrapped in his hand was answer enough. If he needed to speak with someone it would have to be the Kyokuchou of the Shinsengumi. He did not trust Hijikata, he could easily white wash the whole thing.