Leaving Edo (Chapter 41): A Messenger in Times of Crisis

She was able to reach at least the next bend of the road when her vision started to blur once again. Haggard breaths accentuating the pain had slowed her down too much. She did not want to die... Not when she will not die alone. But what of Hajime... She thought. Maybe she should go back... But there was no time to choose, a familiar asagiroo color with white triangles greeted her.

"Midori-san... Please go back. I do -not- want to hurt you."

Souzi...

She threw herself at his feet in an effort to beg for her life. "Onegai Souzi... Just give me time... I will come back to confess to the Shogunate judges to clear Hajime's name."

The young man did not meet her eyes but reached out and took her wrist to tie them. "Gomene Midori-san... But my loyalties lies first in our cause, although if it had been another time... Please -believe- me that I will be fighting for you... -Even- if it was against..."

He didn't bother to finish for she was flailing her arms and shouting for help as he proceeded to carry her on his back. A few people watched them as they traveled the road. While they whispered to each other how horrible the Shinsengumi was for taking a woman against her wishes. However another set of faces were laughing from a distance, they did not particularly like the Shinsengumi but when the Shinsengumi were -acting- like -men-, the Mimawarigumi -respected- that from time to time.

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It was around afternoon that they found a rotting corpse by the river. The body was in a state of rigor mortis by the time a few patrolmen from the Shinsengumi found it. Fortunately it did not elicit a foul smell and they were able to bring it back to their headquarters in Mibu....

"Fukuchou!"

The second in commander narrowed his eyes at the approaching men. They seemed to be carrying something in a sack. Quite a large sack...

I wonder if they caught a wild boar... These foolish men have been loitering around again... Kishin!

He waited as they came near. The first whom they call Capt. Tani took the sack from the two men and dragged it towards Toshi. After a few more heaves, he took the katana and tattered the sack exposing the body of the dead woman.

"I do not recognize her... What is the story behind this?"

"Sir! I am certain she is the Geiko who was with Captain Okita the other night!"

"I see... She is supposed to be our witness?"

"Hai Fukuchou!"

"Take it in the storeroom... Keep it cold... Put it in an icebox if you need to."

Nodding their heads in acknowledgement Capt. Tani and his men disappeared to the back of the Yagi residence.

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"Kondou-san..."

"Hai?"

"What is your purpose for meeting with the Daimyo of Aizu?"

"Funding of course..."

"I have heard from Yamanami-san that we have just received a decent amount of money for the uniforms and weaponry...

Kondou Isami turned towards the young man abruptly. Caught off guard and slightly jilted that the young man would question him.

"You and Hijikata-san are not being up front.. Kyokuchou.. I followed you here to Kyoto because I agree that we must fight to protect the lives we have now. But in order to do this I must be able to trust you and Hijikata-san..."

He stood there still. His hands tucked in his sleeve while he glared at the Kyokuchou of the Shinsengumi.

"I have nothing to say Saitou-kun. You just need to be able to have faith in what we do as the leaders of the Shinsengumi. You must learn to be confident that we are doing what is best." The Kyokuchou placed his hands on the tsuba of his katana. "If you want to challenge and question our authority, then I suggest you draw your sword."

There is nothing more important than to save Japan Saitou-kun...

"Kyokuchou... I am not a fool to draw especially in this situation I am outnumbered 7 to 1... If secrecy is of utmost importance for this mission then so be it. Let it be known now that I value -honesty- and -sincerity- more than anything else."

"Then you are in good company. For I have not forgotten "makoto". Let us go on our way." Kondou relaxed his guard and tried to smile for the young man. But the question was really, when was he overstepping his boundaries... Was he just sugar coating his words, when they were truly of questionable morality? i But in order to move on, we must learn how to sacrifice. And for you Kondou... That is something you'll have to learn from Toshi. /i

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After visiting the headquarters of the Mimawarigumi, Kaneda impetuously headed for a grand teahouse close to the Nijo castle. He was guided to his customary seat which was bordered by bamboo screens and to his front was laid a lacquer table with a pot of hot tea. The man sat there from morning to late noon.

What is taking him so long? Could it be that he failed to kill her?

He tapped the tobacco into a close cup, while taking a pinch of grass and refilling his pipe again... As a father, he will see this come to fruition. He will see Saitou Hajime dead one way or the other... But he wanted it to be a slow death... Painful in it's own right.

If only Akio did not love that woman... Things would've been better for my son's revenge. If only, I could have both of them killed... But my son will not rest until that man is in hell. So she must die.

It was well into the afternoon when he received a message from a lady in waiting. The woman handed him a folded piece of paper.

Kaneda-sama,

Heh. I am not going to meet with you tonight. The Shinsengumi dogs are everywhere... Can't you put them on a leash or something? They are a pest and a hindrance to my plans... But as usual your wish has been granted. Make sure you send some fine sake and a woman to my house tonight

Signed,

Shishio

"Damn that man! How many times have I told him -not- to have any records of his work!" Taking the note, the man took the light for his pipe and started to burn it.

This will be the last of you Saitou... Everything is complete. Tadasaburou will question your involvement... After the killing is known no one will dare come up as a witness. No one will take the word of an estranged wife... And definitely no one will take the word of an adulterer and snake like Saitou. The Gods of vengeance is on my side...

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"Where is Kondou-san?" Sasaki demanded from the people at the gates.

"Iie he has left for Aizu sir. He won't be back for quite a few days..."

"What?!! Where is Saitou Hajime the captain of the third troop?"

The guard looked at him puzzled. Now what business does he have with Captain Saitou? He's certainly not too high in ranks to be of consequence... Now if he was asking about HIjikata...

"Capt. Saitou is accompanying Kondou-san. I suggest if you need someone to speak to... Would you like me to call the Fukuchou?"

"Yes right away."

"Hai!"

Not being the type to wait around. Sasaki followed to the young recruit's dismay. He was shown to the room where Toshi was apparently grinding some herbs. But Sasaki was too enraged to notice.

"What the hell is the Shinsengumi up to Hijikata! Taking Saitou away??? Letting him escape!" Sasaki pounded on the wooden plank beside him, while Hijikata slowly rose to his feet.

Nodding to the young man from earlier, he motions him to close the door. Then he took a small tea cup and poured one for himself, not bothering to offer any to the Commander.

"The young woman confessed. Saitou is a free man." He began quietly.

"What are you talking about?" Inquired Sasaki completely lost.

"I have a number of witnesses who heard her confess... And this morning the captain of the first troop captured her when she escaped.... So there is no doubt she is guilty. We already have executed her earlier. And like a criminal her head has also been disposed of."

Sasaki felt himself cringe. This is what he had -hoped- would happen, but not in such swiftness and severity of punishment... Just enough so as to save Hajime. He went up the fukuchou and in a swift motion grabbed the collar of his yukata.

"You animal... You didn't even try to save a life... You just do what is convenient for your motives. They are right... You are a demon."

Hijikata let a dry smirk cross his lips, as if to mock Sasaki. "You have no idea... Sasaki-san..."

Finally letting go of his grip the Commander turned to leave.

"I will make a report of this! She did not have a fair trial! How would I know if you're telling us the truth?"

Toshi's smirk grew wider. "Then you can ask your own men who was fortunately slacking off again... they saw Okita Souzi apprehend Shinyou Midori." I I win Sasaki... Either way. /i

"How do I know that you simply did not let her go?"

"Want to see Midori- i sans /i body?"

"Yes."

"Alright... Follow me."