Disclaimer: I don't own Saitou or even Tokio. I don't own the Shinsengumi or Ishin Shishi. But I own Korosu Iikagen, Raiden, Raijin, and Sajin Kousotsu. If you want a picture of Raiden then go to and look at the fan artists page. Go to search and type in Raiden, Kakashii is the one who drew him. I am Kakashii. Hehehehe, well on with the story.
Chapter 5: Memories That Never Die
'I can't believe that the girl I saved last night was Tokio the girl who showed no fear when I looked her in the eye.' Saitou though to himself as he sat with his elbows on the desk, hands on his forehead. 'I just can't believe it.'
A small, petite voice shattered the silence and brought Saitou back into the real world.
"Saitou-san I am ready to go now." Tokio said, from behind the tent flap. Saitou looked at the tent flap and could only see her silhouette.
Not moving from his chair Saitou grumbled, "You can come in "Girl."
Tokio moved the tent flap and stepped inside. Saitou did everything in his power to stay calm she looked absolutely stunning in her navy flowered kimono. The way it blended with her silky, black hair, it was simply splendid. Even now Saitou had to fight the urge to start drooling. He didn't want to show Tokio any weaknesses, not that he had any. His only policy was "Aku Soku Zan" that was the policy he would live by and die by, no regrets.
So even though Saitou was quite taken by Tokio's beauty he didn't want to show it, so he kept a straight face. He casually turned in his chair so that his whole body was facing her. He let his heard rest on his hand which was propped up by his elbow.
In a dry tone of which emotion was absent Saitou said, "You look good."
Tokio was disappointed; she surely thought that he would be a little more enthusiastic about seeing her.
Saitou caught on to the disappointment in Tokio's eyes, the look of longing; to be recognized, couldn't help but play out into her eyes.
'So she was hoping that I would fall for her, hm, this might just be fun after all.'
"Why did you come?" Saitou asked his tone still void of emotion. He asked even though he already knew the answer.
Tokio twitched, how could he be so heartless, there must be more to him then this, 'I will find your other side Saitou, mark my words.'
Tokio stood up straight, squared her shoulders making sure Saitou would recognize her as a formidable foe in the sense that she wouldn't give into his game so easily. She would go down fighting if she had to.
"I was told; that once I felt better I was to come to you so you could escort me back to Kyoto."
Saitou was slightly taken back by her defiant attitude. He could feel her fire burn deep within her soul; being docile and lazy one minute then a wall of flames licking up in fierce torrents. He continued to lean his head against his hand just watching her out of interest for a minute before replying, "Hn is that so, well then we are leaving as soon as it is dark go that?"
Tokio could feel her anger rising.
'He can't just order me around like I'm some soldier; I'm a girl for crying out loud.' She was about to tell him this when she caught his eye. He had a toying look in his eye. He had laid out the bait ready for her to take it in anger; no he wanted her to get angry, trying to see how she would react to his words.
'Saitou tow can play at this game.'
So with that Tokio bowed to Saitou and replied in a sweet tone. "I understand, Saitou-san, it would be much safer that way. When you are ready, come and get me, I'll be with Okita." She then flashed him a smile and left. Once she was gone Saito let out a frustrated sigh.
"This girl is good." And with that he started working on some paperwork until it was nighttime.
Sajin just looked at his brother in mild interest, "how could you have just let Saitou get away like that?"
"Easy, it wasn't the right time, there were Shinsengumi guards everywhere," Raiden said calmly.
Sajin sighed, it was something more then that but he know hat h e would never find out what.
Raiden then looked at his brother, "make sure nobody disturbs me, I'm going to take a nap." And with that Raiden made his way towards his futon after he had changed into a black yukata. As soon as he made it to the futon he was out like a light.
'So brother you haven't been able to sleep well I see, you must still be plagues by those dreams, so you never get a good night's sleep.' Sajin though as he turned to sit and watch the door.
Sure enough trouble soon came their way in the form of the Battousai.
"Get Raiden out here, Korosu wants to talk to him." The Battousai replied.
"Sorry Raiden is sleeping right now but whatever Korosu has to say to Raiden he can tell me."
"I 'm sorry but I need Raiden." And with that Battousai stepped closer to the tent.
In a flash Sajin unsheathed his sword and pointed it at the Battousai's neck.
"And like I said before, Raiden is sleeping but I'll go in his place."
Battousai backed up and shook his head, "alright, but Korosu isn't going to like this."
Sajin re-sheathed his sword and replied, "who cares if Korosu will like it or not, you never want to wake Raiden up while his is sleeping, he is too unpredictable."
Battousai nodded and motioned for Sajin to follow him.
Raiden could feel his body relax as if it were forgetting all the problems in the world. Sleep to him was always inviting he wished he could just let his cares go and sleep all day long, there were some days that he actually wished that he could just die and sleep forever.
Once his body was relaxed he found he was in total darkness. He soon realized he was in the dream world of his subconscious mind. He couldn't help but feel alone. In the vastness of his mind he saw a flame flicker in the distance, what's this? What's going on? The flickering flame became brighter as it got closer, soon a man's body could easily be made out. The man got closer even still.
Raiden was frozen with awe, 'Who is this man, what is he doing here?'
The man came closer so that Raiden could see his face.
Raiden's jaw dropped, "No it can't be you, your dead from long ago." Raiden said fumbling for words.
"Yes Raiden I am dead, but I am here to stop you before you do something that you will regret." The man said gently.
"Get away from me; you just came to haunt me!" Raiden growled in fright.
The man slowly shook his head. "Is that any way to treat your father?" The man asked.
Raiden looked at his father in horror. You're dead, why do you keep bothering me?" Raiden asked. His whole body was trembling with an unknown fear, his pupil dilated in terror.
"I'm just trying to stop you before you do something you will regret." Raiden's father said.
"No, leave me alone father I know Saitou killed you, I just know it." Raiden yelled tears starting to stream down his face.
"Son calm down you're falling apart." Raiden's father said coming closer to him.
"Stay away from me you are not real!" Raiden yelled.
"Stop Raiden you're acting just like a child." Raiden's father stated firmly.
Raiden shook his head in denial; I'm not acting like a child!" Raiden yelled.
At this point in time Raiden didn't care how he acted. He didn't want to relive that horrid day when both his father and sister had been murdered in cold blood. It was always like this, this dream, but this was the first time that he had actually seen his father. Right now all he had worked hard for making Saitou pay for his wrongs would fly out the window in and instant. He believed with all his heart that Saitou has been the one who killed his father and little sister.
Raiden's father just shook his head.
"I see that it is no use trying to make you see the truth right now." He thought to himself and with that he blew the flame out and then everything went silent.
Raiden relaxed thinking that the worst was over, but he should have known better. As soon as Raiden had let his guard down the blackness melted away into grey and soon a forest, village and dirt road. He realized he was reliving that horrid nightmare of his father getting killed.
Dream
"Father is mother going to be alright?" Sajin asked.
Tears ran down the man's cheeks, in his arms was a little bundle of joy that he would never be able to share with his wife ever because she had died during the birthing process.
He took his free hand and ruffled Sajin's hair, I'm sorry Sajin but your mother isn't here with us anymore."
Sajin immediately knew what he meant, his mouth made a silent "oh" and tears started to form in his eyes though he didn't sob at all.
"Sajin you know, you're weak. Showing your emotions like that." Raiden said from the opposite side of the room, where he had been there for about an hour.
It tore Raijin's heart to shreds hearing Raiden speak in such a harsh manner, it also surprised him for he was usually a spirited young boy. Raijin got up and walked closer to Raiden, holding Rikka, his little daughter in his arms. With his free hand he put it on Raiden's shoulder.
"Please don't talk like that I know you didn't mean it." Raijin said trying to assure both Sajin and himself that Raiden was just joking around.
"No, I meant what I said." Raiden said adamantly.
"Son," Raijin said desperately, "please don't talk like that."
Raiden started to quiver in silent rage. 'Why didRikka have to live and mother die?'
Raiden whipped around, knocking Raijin's hand off his shoulder. Raiden stared into Raijin's eyes, almost in question. He had tears in his eyes, they streamed down his face.
"Why did she have to die, why couldn't the baby have died instead?" Raiden yelled in question.
Raijin just stood there in a shocked stupor. Sajin peeked behind his father where he had been hiding, his brother was scaring him, this was so not like his brother he was usually the silent happy type. 'Why brother, are you so confusing, you should be happy for our sister to be here.' Sajin thought to himself but he would never dare say this out loud because his brother was being so unpredictable right now, for all he know Raiden might try to vent all his anger out on him, his own brother. When Raiden got mad he went wild not caring about whom or what he hurts just as long as he took care of his anger.
Raijin seemed to read Sajin's mind for he calmly said to Raiden, "Raiden stop this at once, would you want your mother to see you like this?"
In all the commotion, Ikasu had woken up and started crying. Raiden couldn't handle it anymore.
"I just wish thatRikka would die!" Raiden screamed over Rikka's crying. And with that Raiden got up off his knees, bolted out the door and into the streets, gaining weird looks from passersby.
Sajin was confused he tugged on Raijin's shirt, "Father, why doesn't Raiden like the new baby?"
Raijin shrugged his shoulders sadly, "I don't know why." He lied.
"Should I go after him?" Sajin asked.
"Iie, let him have some time to himself, now I'm going to take care ofRikka so I don't want you to go anywhere ok?"
Sajin obediently nodded, went back to his futon and sat back down.
Raijin sadly smiled, and then hurriedly tended to Ikasu. Soon after he had gottenRikka back to sleep, Raiden came back, about six hours later.
"Father," Raiden asked sniffling, "do you promise not to leave us all alone?"
Raijin startled by Raiden's voice suddenly turned around. Raiden repeated his question.
"Son, I'll do whatever I can to stay with you, but you know I can't promise that because the Ishins are going to go to war against the Shoganate soon." Raijin said trying not to make Raiden upset again and wake up Ikasu.
"Well then could you promise me that you'll stay alive?" Raiden asked staring into Raijin's dark brown eyes. As if hoping that he could make Raijin promise. Raijin stared back into his son's beautiful ice blue eyes and smiled, got up and walked over to Raiden, "Don't worry, I'll fight like a demon for your sake as well as Sajin's and Rikka's." Raijin said while he ruffled Raiden's hair.
'I wish you would promise for just Sajin and me.' Raiden thought selfishly as he glared in Rikka's direction. Raijin caught Raiden glaring at Rikka, he stepped into Raiden's field of vision, breaking off Raiden's glare, "Come on how about we go to the Ramen shop down the street, I'll take both Sajin and you, my treat."
Raiden's frown turned up into a little smile, Raijin knew that Raiden wouldn't pass up a chance to eat Ramen, both Sajin and Raiden loved Ramen. They get that from their mother. Raijin thought sadly as he thought about his beloved wife who had died while giving birth to Rikka. When Sajin heard that they were going out to have Ramen, he let out a little whoop of joy. Raijin smiled; all he can do to relieve some of the pain is to not let Raiden or he think about it. Though he knew it would be difficult whenever anybody looked at Rikka.
Months later. . . .
Raiden was at the door listening to his father talking to the Ishin's captain.
"Soon we will start to attack the Shoganate." Someone's voice said.
"What am I going to do about my family?" Raijin's voice.
"You should have thought about that before you joined up with the Ishins." The other voice said uncaringly. Raiden unconsciously tightened his hand into a fist but when he heard the shuffling of feet he hid around the corner. The captain walked out of Raijin's house. When the man had left Raiden came out of his hiding place, "Father what was that all about?"
Raijin ruffled Raiden's hair, "Don't worry about it," and with that he went out into the street and looked both ways as if he were planning something.
"Father, I'm too old for you to be ruffling my hair." Raiden called after his father.
Raijin turned around, mischievous gleam in his eye. "Is that so, it looked like you enjoyed it to me."
"Heh," Raiden said standing up tall and folding his arms over his chest said," Don't mistake me for Sajin."
"Ha, ha, ha well it looks like someone has an attitude." Raijin laughed. He then stepped towards Raiden and picked him and threw him over his shoulder. This feat was only possible due to the fact that Raiden only came up to Raijin's shoulder and was easily dwarfed by his father that was about 6'4".
"Well, I guess you are too old for this then too." Raijin laughed.
Raiden protested, though it was good to hear his father laugh again. It had been months since he had heard his father laugh.
"Father," Raiden protested, flailing around in hopes that Raijin would put him down, but it was a vain hope. When they had gotten back inside the house Raijin put Raiden down.
"Raiden hurry and pack, we are leaving here as soon as possible." Raijin said with urgency in his voice.
Raiden was confused, "Why, I like it here."
"Just hurry up and get packed and meet me outside." Raijin said fiercely as he went into Rikka's room to get her. Raiden was taken back by Raijin's fierce voice; he hesitated for a minute and then complied to his father's wishes. After he was all done packing Raiden went into Sajin's room to get him. Sajin was sleeping soundly in his futon.
"Sajin, wake up we need to pack up and leave." Raiden said shaking Sajin awake.
Sajin rubbed sleep from his eyes and looked up at him in question.
"Don't look at me that way, I don't know, father just told me to have us start packing and meet him outside." Raiden said in a hurry.
Sajin just nodded and began packing. Once they were done they took their bags and waited in the front of their house. They waited for a long time, when finally the shoji to their house opened. Sajin was about ready to run up to greet the person who came out, but Raiden stopped him, picked up the luggage and moved into the shadows of the bushes. Sajin wanted to greet his father but he knew that Raiden's intuition t something were always right and this was one of them, because a man in his late teens about 15's came out of the house. He was quite tall wearing a blue hoari with white-triangle patterns on the sleeves over a brown gi and white hakama. Raiden's eyes scanned over the man, the thing that caught Raiden's attention was the eyes. Those eyes, a golden-amber had seen much killing. Raiden saw no guilt or remorse in those eyes. They were in a sense like black holes sucking out the happiness and leaving only sorrow in their wake. Sorrow to the dead victims' family that is.
Raiden gripped Sajin's shoulder really heard, as if trying to stop Sajin from running out there, but in actuality he was stopping himself from doing something stupid and irrational and making his brother pay for it, so he stayed in the bushed and just watched.
The man walked down the dirt path that connected to the street, when he got closer Raiden saw that man's sword was covered in blood as well as the man's almond-shaped face and clothes. As soon as the man got near the trees a smaller man appeared.
"So Saitou, did you do it?" The man who looked move like a boy asked.
Saitou just kept on walking motioning for the boy to follow him. Raiden couldn't hear the rest of the conversation as both Saitou and the boy walked away. Raiden had a bad felling eating away at his insides. Thousands of questions ran through his mind.
'Who was that? What did he want?' and the most important. 'What did you do to father?' Raiden thought in jumbles.
Raiden was torn from his thoughts when Sajin whimpered. "Raiden you're hurting me."
Raiden instinctively let Sajin's shoulder go.
Sajin then asked, "Brother why aren't the birds singing anymore?"
Raiden just shrugged trying to pass of this feeling for just a feeling and nothing more. It was then that the stench of death and blood reached Raiden. It really wasn't a smell but more that dreadful feeling he had earlier only tenfold. Raiden shook his head in fright
"Oh, please no." He whispered to himself.
He then ran inside to a horrible scene. There was blood splattered everywhere though who's blood Raiden did now. In the corner in a pool of his own blood Raijin lay face down. In his arms Raiden sawRikka buried under her father, most likely crushed to death.
Raiden came closer, his face paled with fright, his vision getting blurry from unwanted tears. He gently pushed his father onto his back and saw a huge gash that running from his right shoulder to his left side carved into his handsome features. He then looked closer, and saw a puncture wound in both the baby's body and Raijin's arm. Raiden backed away in a horror-blinded frenzy tripping over his own feet and falling onto his laurels. He howled out his sorrow to the whole world. His young tenor voice careening for his father; truly like a wild animal. He felt like withering away from the inside out, he felt like killing himself. It was then that he noticed his father's face. It was a face full of surprise and horror. His eyes were still open though they were clouded over and dull. For some reason those eyes seemed to burn holes into Raiden all the way to his soul.
Raiden couldn't take it anymore he got to his knew and started retching. When he was back in control not having anything else in his stomach to throw up he just kneeled there quivering in a mixture of anger, sorrow, horror and guilt.
It was then that Raiden heard a gasp and sobbing from the doorway and suddenly remembered Sajin. Raiden slowly got up and putting on a brave air went over to his father and shut his eyes. He then slowly walked over to Sajin and put a hand on his shoulder.
"We will hunt down this Saitou guy to the ends of the earth if we have to, and kill him for the crime he has committed against us tonight."
Sajin just nodded.
"We will leave after we bury father," Raiden said his heart slowing filling full of hatred for a man that he had never met before. Sajin nodded once more his tears slowly stopping. Raiden looked back once more at his father and sister with a pang of grief and guilt.
'When I wanted my sister to die I didn't really mean it, if I had never thought that then maybe they would still be alive.' Raiden thought to himself secretly blaming himself for his father and sister's deaths.
Raiden heard voices all around him. At first he thought they were all from his dream then he realized they were from the outside world.
Raiden finally woke up in a cold sweat his hand cold and clammy. When he looked around he realized he wasn't in his tent anymore but in the infirmary.
"Ah, so you're finally awake now." A doctor said.
Raiden didn't pay any attention.
"Where is Sajin?" was the first thing that came out of his mouth.
"I'm right here Raiden." Sajin said from Raiden's right side.
"Why am I in the infirmary didn't I tell you that nobody was to disturb me?" Raiden hissed.
"Hey don't look at me, I didn't know about it, I had been summoned by Korosu and when I came back a guard told me that they had taken you here." Sajin explained putting his hands up dismissively.
The doctor then proceeded to explain to Raiden at how he had been thrashing a lot in his sleep.
"I don't need your worry or pity old man." Raiden spat and with that he walked out of the infirmary and back to his tent. The doctor worriedly glanced in Sajin's direction. Sajin shrugged, stood up and followed suit after his brother.
Saitou waited impatiently for the sun to go down. When it finally did, he slipped out of his tent and made his way towards Okita's tent. In the fading light Tokio looked evermore beautiful. Once again Saitou had to keep hi emotions in check.
'Wouldn't want her to get the wrong idea.'
As it proceeded to get darker Tokio almost blended into the shadows because of her black hair and navy flowered kimono. Her face was the only thing that stood out and seemed like the only thing that tied her into the world at that moment before the shadows would even engulf that.
Saitou asked gruffly, "So are you ready to go girl?"
Tokio nodded her head and stepped towards him. When she got to him he immediately started to head her out of camp with Tokio a few steps behind.
"We'll take the forest route." Saitou said out loud but more to himself than Tokio.
Tokio just nodded.
Okita peeked out of his tent and yelled playfully in Saitou's direction. "Saitou you better take good care of Tokio or I'll kill you."
Tokio giggled and Saitou just rolled his eyes. Why had he ever volunteered to take Tokio back in the first place, why, oh why, oh why?
It was quite a sight to be seen, a tall man whose only love at the moment was his country in whom he would give his life to protect and a slightly shorter woman almost invisible in the darkness following suit after the man she loved. Love sometimes was cruel and just a pain in the butt.