Author's Note:
Jisei no Ku- poems written just before you die.
Chapter 6: Echoes of the Past
"Serizawa is someone to fear, even despise but not to respect."
The young Geisha stared hard at her hands and the sake cup she had just carefully cleaned. It was obvious the girl was scared but more then just scared... terrified... was a little closer but not quite there either.
"I've only heard stories of some of the things he's done, from the patrons but... well... they say that he didn't always go by the name Serizawa Kamo he used to use the name Tsuguji Kimura."
Tsuguji Kimura?
That was a name that rang more than just a few bells with Tokio, but she could have sworn he was dead. He'd even written his Jisei no Ku!
"Serizawa-sama was Tsuguji-san? That monster? But he's dead!" Okita could barely keep her voice under control. The thought of them being one and the same made her stomach feel like a ship caught in the middle of a great stormy sea.
"You really are a fool. You don't even know who you serve?"
Saitoh lounged in the doorway, his eyes piercing straight through Tokio. They were knowing eyes but they were also eyes that served to mock her innocent nature.
It was obvious that she didn't know anything about betrayal. Saitoh knew what that kind of innocence could cost a man, and the price for such innocence was often a very costly one at that.
"I suggest you go. Now!"
The Geisha's eyes were scared, and she a sound resembling a muffled shriek came from her throat. She fled quickly out the door leaving the two of them behind.
It was hard not to notice just how timid that girl really was. Tokio kind of felt bad for putting her in such a position but she knew that she had just gotten her hands on a very valuable piece of information.
"Well, Saitoh-san, I hope you're enjoying the evening!" Her words ran hollow even to her. She tried her best to sound as chipper as always but it was proving to be a bit difficult.
"Learn anything interesting?"
Tokio was still having trouble muddling through the information she had just learned. Was it true? Could it be?
She thought back to the events of that morning and knew... that the look in his eyes had not been that of a sane man.
She feared the answer to the question but she had to know the truth. Would Saitoh tell her the truth? She had already proven once to be as he put it 'trouble' but she had to know the truth. She just had to.
"Is it true?"
"The stories or that he was Tsuguji Kimura?"
Tokio hesitated only a minute. She could see Saitoh's expressionless face from across the room and a part of her told her that he wouldn't lie. If for no other reason than for the Samurai's Code, she knew instinctively that it was something very important to him. For that matter she could understand that perfectly, Bushido was something very important to her as well.
"Yes." Saitoh closed the screen behind him and went closer to Tokio's side. His voice was low, it was as though he didn't want anyone to hear what he was saying, but Tokio knew it was best this way. If Serizawa really was Tsuguji things were extremely dangerous.
"They are the same person. I don't know what you have heard but it is true that he murdered three of his own men in cold blood. When he lost his temper he sliced three of his men's heads off without even a thought before going and destroying the drum at a nearby temple. He was sentenced to death for his shameless behavior, and then just to be pardoned from his death sentence, he joined us. He would be dead if not for that. That is the type of man that you serve. You should just go home."
"No!" That was definitely not an option! "
What do you think I am? A child? A fool? Think whatever you like about me but I am not a traitor. I will serve the Shogunate as best I can with this." Tokio's hand rested on the hilt of her blade, which was tucked at her sash. "I have given my word and I will not break it. Thank you for telling me the truth, but regardless of what Serizawa-sama is I will serve my country! I won't be fooled again, but my loyalty will be the same!"
Tokio stormed out the back way. She was in no mood for anyone to see the kind of shape she was in, and it would have only have been rude to have the other's suffer through her mood, better to simply disappear for the evening.
Chapter 7: to be continued.
