A few days before...
The streets are teeming with strangers, she thought to herself and once again her hand slid towards the tanto for solace. She had left her home, her father and beloved brother behind to fulfill a promise to herself... To give herself peace but most importantly Kiyosato as well.
"The Mibu wolves are coming! Out of the way!" A peddler shouted from a distance jolting her back to the road that to her seemed more like an apparition. Quickly but in even paces she settled herself behind the crowd, watching as the uniformed men in asagiroo walked past.
"Who are they?" She asked the nearest man who was shouting earlier.
"They're part of the Kyoto Shoshidai. It's better you keep away from them, they say they're here to protect Kyoto but they're vicious." The peddler shook his head, "I should go, I still have a number of Getas to sell."
"Thank you." She replied quietly while following the men with her eyes as they turned the corner. Quickly she moved to cut through the alley, knowing that if she did so and walk up the other side of the street she could catch up with them.
"Saitou-san... The smell from earlier wasn't it white plums?"
"Be quiet Okita-kun, we are on patrol, be alert."
The young man smiled as he looked up to the third Captain. "Just like I said earlier Saitou-san maybe all the blood of the men you killed..." Okita Souji looked up to the third captain and smiled, "Maybe they have dulled your senses."
"Tch ahou." The third Captain separated himself from the rest, while Okita waved at him smiling.
"The fukuchou will look for him Okita-kun." Harada ran up from behind the young man scratching his head slightly. "Why did you let him leave?"
Okita crossed his arms in front of his chest. "I smelled plum blossoms and he did too."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
The young man stretched his arms and then settled his hand across the back of his neck. "I can't wait to get back. All this unrest is getting me tense." He laughed softly as they got to the gates. "Hopefully when Saitou-san gets back he won't be as grumpy as usual ne?"
The big man shook his head. "I don't know about that. He's good with a sword but he needs a lesson in being more sociable, the man is quiet but he gives me the creeps."
"Oh come on Harada-san. He's not that bad." Souji laughed. "He's not cut off your spear yet after all."
"You better stop that talk Souji! I'm a master of the spear and you know that! Even he can't win against me using that sword of his. It's too short."
"Hai hai!" The young man smiled and patted Harada's back. "I'll see you later Harada-san. I've got to report to Kondou-san." Running off, Harada directed the rest of the men back to their quarters.
It was too late as she looked down towards the corner of the road. There were no signs of the men in asagiroo. She sighed and dusted her white kimono. In a hot day like this one, the streets were dry and dust was everywhere.
"Now how am I to find that place?" She thought out loud, frowning slightly.
"What place are you looking for?"
She spun around surprised. A tall man was leaning at a wall just towards the entrance of the alley that she came from.
Walking up to him, able to regain back her composure. She inquired in an even manner, "How did you get behind me?"
"Does it matter? You do see that I am from the Kyoto Shoshidai." He continued to lean on the wall but hid his hand in his haori.
Tomoe let her eyes gaze at him from head to toe. His demeanor was that of a man who was sure of himself, a confidence bordering on cockiness.
"No it does not." She said quietly. "You are from the Shoshidai? Perhaps you can point me to the Mimawarigumi?"
"Why should I do that?" Saitou Hajime could feel the side of his lips quirking into a slight smirk.
"It is a personal matter."
The third captain narrowed his eyes and shrugged. "Your accent... You are not from Kyoto. Did you just arrive here?"
"Yes... Please if you can just point me in the right direction and I shall go on my way." Tomoe clasped her hands together but did not look away, a gesture that the third Captain did not miss.
"Quite a courageous one to come all the way here to look for the Mimawarigumi... Either that or you are a foolish woman looking for trouble. Either way, if it is a personal matter, I am not obliged to assist you."
The third captain looked up non-chalantly, his senses quite aware that this woman was the one who smelled of plum blossoms. It still escaped him why Souji of all people decided to piss him off today. Did he perhaps wanted him to bring this woman back to their headquarters in Mibu? That was unacceptable, the boy has been hanging out too much with the Harada and Nagakura... To be thinking of women at such a time like this when Kyoto was consumed with infidels and killing was rampant on the streets, what the young man was thinking completely baffled him. He refused to see Okita Souji as a bumbbling fool like some of the other Captains. Takeda Kanryuusai for one.
Tomoe watched him as he paid no attention to her. Those eyes she had noticed earlier were a cold color of gold. Her breathing became slightly off kilter as she braced herself. She pressed her hands together as if in an effort to make herself speak further. The man was at the very least rude. Vaguely she wondered if most people in Kyoto were like this. "Sir, what is your name?"
"Why do I have to tell you?"
She steeled herself. Patience, right now with Kiyosato gone she had all the time in the world. She can afford to be patient. "You do not have to tell me but please do answer my question. Where can I find the Mimawarigumi and since you are from the Shoshidai, I'm sure you can refer me to their Chief."
He scoffed and started to walk off. "It's too bad you do not listen. I have no reason to help you. Go search Kyoto I'm sure you'll find them in a day or two."
Saitouchuckled and started to make his way back to the compound. The woman might find them, but where she is now... Not to far from Shimabara, Saitou knew that only they the Shinsengumi patrolled this area. And the more affluent area up north, closer to Nijo castle was where their rivals were situated. As he walked further, he thought that if the woman had only been upfront, he would gladly help her find her way. He wasn't an overly rude man but he did believe in the golden rule. Rules are needed in society after all and much more so between people. Too bad the equality he had always sought was not to be found here in Kyoto. The Mimawarigumi were a testament to that, since they were composed mostly of privileged young men and men from the higher class of society, they got the best area to patrol... One of the cleanest and peaceful in the whole of Kyoto, while they being composed mostly of ronin and farmers were secluded to the South where not a single day passes where there is no screaming on the street. He did not begrudge Katamori for assigning him to the Shinsengumi to spy for him internally. There was no discrimination in that respect... However staying in the Shinsengumi did show him the inequality and reminded him that if his father did not buy the samurai title, perhaps he would not be worth a candle to anyone in Aizu... For there would be no opportunity to even speak to the Daimyo and present his case as someone effective and to be trusted. He would be like the rest of the Shinsengumi... Like pawns being used temporarily and when the time comes, will be discarded like dirty rags.
Frowning at the thoughts that raced in his mind, he paid no attention to the people who passed him. To him they were inconsequential until the time they proved to be a nuisance to the peace. A nuisance to his group... He stopped short, since when did he ever consider himself part of the Shinsengumi, he wondered. Silently he chastised himself, he was a spy. A good one and whatever it was that happens to him personally in the compound whether it be good or bad, has no bearing on his work for the Daimyo. He will prove to them, to the Daimyo and to the Bakufu, that he was useful unlike his father who contented himself as kenjutsu intructor thrown from place to place to train children of low ranked samurai. The amber eyed man would free himself someday from the humiliation his father had brought by buying that title.
The sun beat down on his back as he walked the streets. He could've taken off his haori but in public, a true samurai carries himself in proper decorum.A little heat won't kill him after all, however the growling in his stomach might, he thought to himself. Looking around, he found a place where he can finally relax so he parted the noren and entered the restaurant.
"Irraishaimase!" An older man probably in his fourties greeted him. "Please take a seat."
Saitou chose a spot where he could not be easily seen, closer to the kitchen entrance. Taking off his wakizashi and nippontou, he sat it beside him protectively before finally sitting on the cushion. he rested his back agains the wooden board that separated his table from the rest. He does not want to be seen, nor does he want to see any familiar places. He liked these moments... When he can be alone. It is better, he thought to himself, to be alone.
"Do you have something cold but filling?" He asked as he let his eyes stare back.
"Hmmm. I would recommend on a hot day like this some zaru soba."
"Then that's what I'll have. And later if you can bring me some sake."
"I'm sorry but we don't serve sake here." The old man shook his head, "But I will have your soba ready in a few minutes."
"Fine."
The old man nodded and left Saitou to his thoughts. Bored out of his mind, Saitou's hand unconsciously glided on top of the saya of his nippontou as he stared out the solitary window to his right.
Tomoe unabashed at the third Captain, followed him to the restaurant. She kept several paces away from him, to make sure that he did not detect he was being followed. If she followed him around, eventually he'll either meet up with the other Shoshidai groups and if that did not happen, then he will eventually go back to his base. Perhaps there, someone can help her and she does not have to deal with an overly difficult man. She frowned. Kyoto was such a huge place and not knowing anyone did not help her case at all. She sat close to the door, so that she will not miss him if he decided to leave. The wooden boards which separates each table to the next were definitely a good thing to hide her presence. It is too bad though, she cannot see at all what he was doing.
After a few more minutes of waiting, she saw the old man, who seems to be the owner of the restaurant come out with a tray. It was then that she had an excellent idea. Patiently, she waited to be served.
"And for you miss?" Asked the owner.
"What is that man having?" Tomoe nodded towards where Saitou was sitting.
"Zaru soba. Will you have that?"
She shook her head. "Let me pay for his order please. He is a -friend-."
The old man shook his head bewildered. "That's a bit unconventional young lady." He reprimanded her. "Even if you are friends... You are the woman after all."
She stared down at the table for a long moment, wondering why everything was such an ordeal. It was bad enough that she had left home and her beloved brother Enishi... He did not take it well when she left. But she left for a reason... To find peace for her beloved. For Kiyosato. This was all for Kiyosato. Her dark eyes suddenly looked up to the owner.
"I implore you, I need that man's help."
The old man sighed, "As you wish. I must warn you though that he does not strike me as someone who will appreciate such a gesture."
"It is alright." Tomoe slightly smiled as she thought of how these little setbacks were just temporary and that soon she can find peace. "Please bring me some sea breem as well."
"As you wish."
After an hour a furious wolf stood from where he sat. He spat a curse to the owner and shoved him aside, heading straight to where Tomoe was sitting. All eyes were on him as he grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her out of the restaurant.
"Under-handedness is unbecoming in a woman..." He hissed not looking back at her.
"My name is Yukishiro Tomoe." She replied half panting as he dragged her forcefully through the streets.
"Well Tomoe, speak up on why you would pay for my meal." He gripped her hand tightly, "No don't. I already know."
"Yes you do. All I need is some information."
"Which as I've said, I will not give you. The Shoshidai must fixate itself towards the enemy and not on some mysterious whim that you are eluding too."
Her dark eyes flickered for a moment. Angry at the man before her... "It is NOT a whim! For you to dismiss it so lightly..." At once she jerked her wrist trying to free herself but Saitou Hajime did not let go, instead he jerked her towards the direction of a sake vendor.
"You are incorrigable. I am trying to talk to you..."
"Yes I know." He turned once to her and then back at the Sake vendor. Picking a bottle, he paid the sake vendor and was once again on the move.
"Are you even listening?" Her voice tremored.
"Yes... But so far what you have given me is -garbage-." He looked back at her and smirked. "If you want to talk and if you want my help, you'll have to cooperate and agree to -my- terms."
Her mouth opened slightly. A multitude of possibilities running through her mind. She was here in Kyoto alone... And now a man who is a complete stranger and much more stronger than her was dragging her to an unknown place... Could he be proposing that they? Her heart pounded in fear of the possibilities. He could force her, she knew no one... Aside from the tanto she kept to her side, it is only as effective as it's weilder and she has never been good at handling weapons.
She looked around hastily, trying to figure out how to get away from this man. His lecherous hands touching her, twisting her arm to come with him. Panick etched itself quickly to every corner of her being. She tried to push him away, but that only lent for his grip to tightening like a vise. As he looked back at her, the smirk that was planted on his face earlier seemed to turn into a sour grin. His face to her was lecherous.
"I am not that kind of woman. Let go of me."
"No."
"You cannot have your way with me." She hissed. She will not give herself to this vile creature. She had promised herself to Kiyosato and she would rather die.
"We'll see about that." He chuckled and proceeded to drag her through the streets. His stride was fast as the wind picked up and sent part of his haori flying along with him.
"I will shout." She threatened. It was still daylight after all... And there were still people on the streets.
"No one will come near you." He replied not looking back.
Tomoe bit her lip. "You don't know that."
Another chuckle escaped his lips and buried itself to Tomoe's ears. "Perhaps... But then again you'll never get what you want."
Slowly his words sinked in to her... What he was trying to say. He was -bargaining- with her. She looked around once again as she got dragged. Her life had been over weeks ago... She existed only for one thing and that was for Kiyosato. To give him peace... This was only the beginning, if she did not get through this, she asked herself how could she do what she must? How can she kill the man who had taken her beloved away so callously? This... was just a small payment to start what she should've started the first day she had heard Kiyosato was taken from her forever. Slowly she stopped resisting and the amber eyed man looked back at her and grinned.
"Good choice Tomoe."
She followed him in silence. Determined to do what she must.
(Notes: This fic will be a companion to the OVA, so you'll see lines and similarities etc. etc. Again I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, the owners are Sony Corp and the writer Watsuki Sensei. No profit was made, I'm just a fan who likes to imagine things. Questions/Comments etc will be answered in my livejournal account: hajimenokizu
Sentences in italics are "thoughts")
