Chapter 40: To Act on a Decision

A knock comes in the middle of the night begging for Political Advisor Kaneda. The messenger is led through an elegant corridor and finally found himself in a larger one in front of the advisor who was still garbed in his night robes.

"What brings you here at this ungodly hour?" Kaneda inquired not hiding his annoyance.

"Kaneda-sama. I'm afraid I have some bad news...." replied the young man handing him the letter of Sasaki.

Kaneda took the letter and looked through it. His face in horror and his body shaking. He found himself going to the nearest seat to support himself. When he finally spoke it was but a croak coming out of his windpipe.

"Where is Sasaki?"

"I believe he is out to meet with the Shinsengumi... Kaneda-sama. The suspect is one of the Captains although there were witnesses who said otherwise. That it was a woman..." The messenger shook his head. Although he could understand why Kaneda is asking him questions, it's not like he knew everything and to be frank he'd rather just be back to his quarters by now.

"A woman? Do you know her name?"

The messenger fidgeted. "Anou... I've only seen her on occasion sir... But I'm certain that was Akio's wife."

"Sou ka... How many witnesses came forward?"

"We only needed one sir... A geisha in the gion-ya was witness to most of the events. I believe we are to detain her today for questioning."

Kaneda paced the floor and thought, "In any case, I must preserve our name... I must hire an assasin." Finally he stopped and took a piece of paper and brush from his nightstand.

"Give me the address of this Gion-ya... The womans name and a description... Then you may leave."

"Hai... I'm sorry for your loss Kaneda-sama."

Meanwhile...

Okita Souzi ran not really knowing where to go, feeling quite frustrated he decided to give up and just go back to the compound when he heard voices from the corner.

What the hell... I'll just try...

He turned the corner and saw both troops surrounding a small teahouse.

"Hijikata-san!" he called.

"Huh?" Toshi turned to see his young friend. "Oh Souzi? What are you doing out this late?"

"I should be asking you the same thing Hijikata-san." Souzi smiled as he approached. "But from the looks of it... Is this an official matter?"

"Hai.. Kondou-san is inside speaking with Sasaki."

The young man's eyes lit up and he lightly tapped his hands together. "Sugoi! You two are trying to get a reprieve for Midori? Please try your best.. Especially with her condition, she needs us."

A look of puzzlement crossed Toshi's face. "Nani? What condition?"

"She's having a baby!" Souzi replied with excitement. "Dakara... We've got to do our best and protect her interests Hijikata-san!"

Scowling Hijikata pushed Souzi to the side making sure that no one else could hear them.

"Souzi... Sumanai... But that is not what this meeting is for."

"What????"

"You must understand... The needs of the one.. even a few, cannot outweigh the many."

"What are you talking about?" Souzi replied with his hand on his katana. "You don't mean to tell me that we will use her as a scapegoat."

Hijikata quickly grabbed Souzi's arm before he could unsheathe the kikuichimonji. "No one is using her as a scapegoat... We are simply telling the truth to Sasaki, to ensure that this does not blow up against the our group and against Saitou."

"I will not let that happen! That's preposterous... We are not killers!"

A resounding slap followed and Souzi found himself on the ground with Toshi grabbing at his collar. His dark eyes shot daggers at Souzi.

"We are killers... But we kill for a reason and that is to survive so we can protect the life that we know. Don't get this wrong Souzi, but the moment our blade was stained... We were already demons."

"You're wrong!" Souzi pushed Toshi away and got on his feet. "I am not a demon... And I will do something about this."

"Stop Souzi. Don't let this get to you. If you go... What will happen to Saitou? What will happen to us? The men themselves have mouths to feed... Families... And what would happen to our mission?"

Souzi stopped mid-way. Why are things so complicated? All I know is that she is like a sister to me...

A pair of strong arms wrapped itself on Souzi's back as his tears fell.

The fukuchou whispered to his best swordsman, "Honto... Suma Souzi."

"Then it's settled. We will take the geisha as a witness and put Midori in court. Until then, please do not get Saitou-kun involved... Even if the sword in your hands is his... He did not kill your vice-commander. If after this we cannot prove Saitou is innocent..."

Kondou who had not touched a single drop of tea nor sashimi repeated the terms to Sasaki.

"Then everything else is fair game Kondou-san..." Sasaki finished for the older man. "I cannot guarantee how long I can buy you time... You must remember that Kaneda-san is an -influential- man."

"Wakatta. Thank you for understanding our situation Sasaki-san..."

"Iie... I am not doing this for you or the Shinsengumi."

"Hmm for Saitou-kun then?" Kondou shot the man a questioning look but Sasaki was well on his way to the door.

Not for you nor the Shinsengumi... Not even for Saitou-kun... For if it was for Saitou I would've never agreed to this arrangement... But I... I cannot bear to hurt Sasue once again.

Later on during the day, Kondou sent out a party to retrieve the geisha. The fukuchou has left strict orders not to allow anyone into Midori's room and to have Saitou detained in his quarters as soon as they got back to Mibu... Which is why Saitou was puzzled why there were no guards lingering near his quarters nor of Midori. Seeing that it was an excellent opportunity he took advantage and dared to see how the young woman was doing.

Slipping in quietly he found her still laying on the futon.

She must be exhausted.... I should not wake her. I should get some food... Maybe ramen.

He was about to leave when she stirred awake. Through blurry eyes she saw his silhouette. "Hajime-san... Doko? Matte..."

Turning back he kneeled down beside her and took her hands. "You should not speak. I will get you something to eat."

"Iie... Please stay for now..."

"Hai..." he replied akwardly.

"Do I look horrible?"

"Iie..."

She smiled and tugged at his sleeve. "Where's Yuuta?"

"I sent him back to the university... It's better that he's not involved."

"Thank you Hajime-san.."

"Sumanai... I couldn't do much.."

"Iie... You did wonderfully..." She softly giggled and touched his face. "Just like back then in Edo, you protected me."

He scowled and looked away. What are you talking about? I'm useless.

"Ora... Look at my hands, they healed. I can't wait to play the piano again... Thanks for giving me a new life."

His amber eyes just stared at them completely silent.

She stifled a sigh and mustered another smile for Hajime. "Do you remember? At the inn... My question... Your dream..."

"Hai.."

A beam of happiness emanated from her face and she embraced him. A few words were passed between them as the man with the amber eyes told her his answer.

"Yukatta! Promise me you will never let go."

"I won't. I swear."

Finally the shoji door opened to reveal Souzi and Hijikata towering over them.

"Ahem... I've been looking all over for you Saitou-kun. I see you are fooling around again." Toshi said teasingly but no one particularly Souzi... No one noticed.

"I have an assignment for you Saitou... If we can speak outside... Souzi will take care of Midori for now."

"Yes sir." He followed but not before he threw her a slight grin and gave Souzi instructions on where to get good ramen.

"Onee-chan... Gome..."

"Ah Souzi... It's okay... Actually it's been me who's been causing too many problems for you men over here..."

"How are you feeling? I'll get you something to eat. Geez it's been two months already and you didn't even tell us you were having a baby... I would've visited you more often if I had known."

Midori kept her stare focused on her hands. Suddenly everything became clear. If only her mother took the time to explain these things... She would've known about Akio... Why he was acting so strangely. She tilted her head and looked up to the young man.

"Ramen would be nice..."

"Hai!!! I'll be back!"

I must escape... I didn't know... I can't do this...But Hajime... Maybe Hijikata-san can help... Maybe if he can postpone the punishment maybe I can save them both... I don't care what happens to me but now...

"Chotto matte Souzi... Please make sure Hijikata-san comes to speak with me tonight..."

"Sure onee-chan! Jaa!" The boy ran off.

I'll get her a good meal. Tomorrow I might not see her again. Gomene onee-chan...

"What do you mean you can't find her?" Toshi shouted at the men before him.

"Sorry sir but she escaped! We've already sent several search parties..."

Hijikata punched the column beside him. He was out of choices... If they can't find her it will be the end for Saitou and maybe even the Shinsengumi...

We are lacking funding right now... A scandal like this will just make the Daimyo of Aizu more hesitant to support us.

"Don't stop looking. Use all the men if you have to."

"Eh we sent them out already sir... The only one left is the third troop. Should we call them in?"

"Iie... I have sent them to accompany Kondou-san to Aizu."

(Notes: Ummm... I don't have a decent excuse to tell the readers... Only that the past month I've been uninspired and I won't go into detail why. But this chapter was actually supposed to be out a few weeks ago when I accidentally resaved over it, thus lost it. A friend e-mailed asking if I was going to continue. The answer has always been a yes. I think it's important to finish a story once it's written... So I'm sorry for the lack of updates.)