Shinai- bamboo practice sword. Created by the Okage ryu so that they could stop killing each other in practice when they messed up with there bokkens. (As a kendo fan I am hugely grateful for the invention!)


Chapter 14: Bindings
Tokio reminded herself that she needed to concentrate right now; there was work to be done.

"Hijikata-san, I'm to be made Captain sir?"

"Yes, of the first squad. The former Captain died in combat and so the squad died in battle to the last man. All of these men are raw recruits that you will be responsible for. Some are quite skilled with a blade but others will require… considerable work. I'll leave the decisions to you since they are you're squad. Punishments other than the code guidelines will be you're duty to enforce, if you learn of any of your men violating the code it will be you're responsibility to report it to either Ishida-san or myself is that understood?"

"Yes, sir. I'll do my best."

Hijikata let Okita enter the room ahead of him, and wondered just how useful this boy was truly going to be. He hadn't been with them for more than a few weeks but he had proven to be reliable in combat… but it wasn't combat that they were going to need him for.

"Look at the little runt!"

"He's so girlish! Are you a welcoming gift from our new Captain?"

"Nope." Tokio smiled. She did her best to hide her nervousness. A smile was a wonderful thing; anything at all could be hidden behind it. When in doubt smile. It really did confuse people. "Actually I'm you're Captain!"

The room was completely silent before it was filled with boisterous laughter.

"A little girl like you can't be our Captain!"

"You're so dainty for a swordsman! It's quite the joke!"

"This is no joke!" Hijikata cut in firmly. "This man… M-A-N… will be you're Captain from today forward. His name is Okita, and I suggest you remember that. He's a fine swordsman and if you doubt it then cross blades with him. Okita I will leave them to you."

"Sure thing! Thank you Hijikata-san for introducing us."

"Oh by the way…"

Tokio watched Hijikata finger the shoji with nervous hands… she hadn't noticed before that when he was thinking and nervous he tended to fidget… what an interesting habit.

"Ishida-sama wanted to speak to you once you finish here. I'll send Saitoh-san to bring you when you finish here."

"Of course."

Tokio bowed to Hijikata as he left the room leaving her with… this.

She wondered how many heads she would have to hit with a shinai before they understood their place. She didn't like the thought of being the Captain. She didn't like the thought that these men would have to die if she messed up… but she did know and understand one thing completely.

On a battlefield there could only be one commander, and if there was any doubts as to who that commander was then people would die, and she really didn't want that to happen.

"Alright then let us see what you're made of. Who wants to come at me with a shinai first!"


Saitoh smirked as he watched yet another one of Okita's opponent's limp away from the fight. Almost everyone in Tokio's squad had fought her and so far no one had been able to lay a finger on her.

Saitoh understood what she was trying to accomplish by beating them all up, she wanted them to understand just how weak they really were, and that there was still a lot of room for them to improve. It was a good way for her to start... assuming that everyone didn't decide to kill her first.

He stepped in to the dojo. He ignored the eyes that followed his pathway into the room. Another man was standing up to fight Tokio-san but he looked more then a little nervous, and Saitoh stalking towards him was only succeeding in making him even more afraid.

It seemed that not very many of these recruits understood what it meant to be here. What it took to survive here.

Saitoh grabbed the shinai from the man's hand. He knew that his speed was too fast for most of the young recruits to follow with their eyes, and he hoped that would send a very clear message to all of them as well. After all Saitoh wasn't even a Captain… Tokio was.

Even if Tokio was female.

"Captain, Isami-sama wishes to speak to you. Also… Hijikata-san has transferred me to you're division." Saitoh bowed from the waist. "If you please, sir."

He really didn't like this, but he had asked Isami-san for a reason. He had convinced them both of the fact that it would be easier to get information from Tokio back to everyone if he was close by, but only Yamazaki understood the true reason behind his request. He had to make sure that no one else discovered her little secret, and as a Captain that was going to be even harder then normal.

He had been offered the rank of Captain as well… but he had asked for a little time before rising to the ranks. Saving Tokio in that battle had earned him into the good graces of several men, but until Serizawa was overthrown it would be an unnecessary risk taking that role.

For now this was more important.

"Does this mean that one's going to fight too?"

"He didn't mention his rank he's fast but… he's going to be in our ranks!"

"Saitoh-san?" Tokio had a puzzled expression across her face and she bit her lip thinking over the situation. What was he doing here? It was bad enough she had to instill some discipline in such a rowdy lot but with one of the few men that knew her secret…

Was that the reason he was here?

Was this to be a perpetual reminder of her secret… of her lie?

He had tried over and over again to chase her away because of it…

No, that just couldn't be. Tokio decided there had to be another reason for him being here. He was as skilled of a swordsman as she was a swordswoman, probably even more so right now…

No she would use him as a reminder. A reminder of what she needed to become.

Stronger.

"Saitoh-san, that shinai? I take it you wouldn't mind a quick bout?"

"Captain is you're shoulder still injured? You shouldn't be pushing yourself so hard. You'll tear open the wound again."

"I'll take that as a no."

"Everyone this is Saitoh Hajime-san. I suggest you don't underestimate him. I'll be gone for a few moments please use the dojo to you're hearts content."

Tokio strode purposely out of the dojo, and Saitoh followed at her heals.

"If you told him about me being…you know. I swear I won't ever…"

"This way."

"Did you?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you talk too much."

"Yes. Now answer me!"

"Is this an order Captain?"

"Does it have to be?"

Saitoh stayed quite, enjoying the discomfort that Tokio was suffering. In it's own way it was quite amusing. He did his best not to crack a smile in front of her. If she was going to stay he wasn't going to make it any easer than he had to.

"At least tell me what's going on? Please!"

"What do you think of Serizawa-sama?"

Tokio blinked puzzled at the question. "I thought you already knew the answer to that question."

"Indulge me."

"He drinks, womanizes, hurts innocent people. He violates the code quite frequently."

"Those are facts, but what do you think about him? Are you loyal to him?"

"Saitoh-san this is not a funny joke."

"It's not a joke. Please will you answer?"

"I have no loyalty to him! You know this already, why are you questioning me like this? Answer me."

"Because I asked him to."

Hijikata stepped out from the shadows for only a moment and then beckoned her into the building he had just come out of. Isami-san was already sitting there waiting.

"We wanted to hear it from you, young Okita. IF you don't have any loyalty to Serizawa then why are you here?"

"To keep a promise."

"A promise?" Isami tilted his head indicating they should have a seat.

"A very important promise to my cousin."

"What kind of a promise would that little girl have made you make!"

So they didn't know the truth. She glanced out the corner of her eye and studied Saitoh for a moment. Why hadn't he told the truth about her?


To be continued…