Chapter 12
As Kida tied up the boat, Matsu turned to him, "It might be better if you stayed here we shouldn't be that long…this is a small island right?"
"That it is, besides I have a few fish nets I need to fix to keep me occupied…" Kida smirked, "The old shacks are at the center of the island…Hope you have a boring adventure…" he chuckled.
Matsu laughed softly and rushed up the beach to catch up with Saitou and Chou.
"D'ya tell him to stay put?" Chou asked as he watched Saitou take out his katana and strap it to his side.
"Yes you moron…the shacks aren't far from here…How do we do this?" Matsu looked to Saitou.
Saitou glanced over his shoulder and handed his bag to Chou who looked at him confused, "You two circle around the shacks at a distance, light the wicks at a few minutes from each other."
"Sir?" Matsu stepped forward.
"Do as I say…" Saitou drawled as he slowly made his way towards the shacks.
About ten minutes had passed, ducking behind a tree Saitou eyed his surroundings trying to spot anyone he recognized, spotting Chou and Matsu as they approached from the north and silently entered into the shacks fighting off with anyone they met. Saitou unsheathed his sword and slowly made his way to one of the shacks hugging the side of the small building he listened as he heard arguing within, as he listened he could tell that there were several men within as he was about to break down the door his eyes widened for a moment and he froze, he could here a child crying within the small cabin. "SHUT-UP…" one of the men yelled then backhanded the child, hearing a thump as the child fell to the ground he began to cry even louder.
Saitou's eyes narrowed as he kicked open the door and entered. Killing two of the men closest to the door Saitou froze when he noticed that one of the Assassins had grabbed the child and held him as a shield, holding a knife to the boy's throat. Saitou's eyes seemed to glow as he recognized the child as his own, holding his sword with so much force that the blade began to tremble.
They could here people shouting outside, for what seemed like an eternity Saitou stared at the man holding his son, suddenly Chou ran into the shack, "Boss...we got a little…" Chou clamped his mouth shut as he looked at the scene before the Wolf and recognizing the boy. "Oh…you guys are so dead…" Chou spoke as he took out his daggers and backed off staying behind Saitou.
Matsu had followed the sword collector but when he had heard him speak he quickly stopped, moving to one of the windows Matsu slowly peeked in the shack and gasped.
Tekki eyed the two and grinned, "You know there's nothing as devastating as the loss of a child…" he laughed. As he jerked Tsutomu up, making him cry out.
"Tou-san…" Tsutomu whimpered, Saitou was now fueled with rage.
"Are you out of your fucken mind in taking his kid?" Chou hissed.
"Well I was a bit surprised I was expecting a newborn baby, not a three year old infant…how many children do you have anyway?"
"You won't live long enough to know…" Saitou growled. As they argued Matsu had slowly snuck off and went to the other side of the building.
"I'm a bit curious at how you'll react when I slit his throat…" Tekki grinned wickedly holding the child closer to his body.
Chou had seen the shadow behind the shack, and smirked inwardly as he leaned a bit forward. "Awww fuck it boss the squirt ain't here…kill the bastard…he kidnapped your kid…he touched your woman, you can't be thinking of arresting him."
Saitou kept his eyes locked on Tekki, as the three men who were still in the room approached with their swords drawn, Chou stepped forward and engaged them in combat easily killing off two of them with his daggers, then took out one of his swords and pointed it at the man's throat, "I'm gonna enjoy this…" Chou smirked as he started to circle his opponent. "Hope you're a better fighter then your two pals there…" he grinned. As he lunged forward and smirked as the man dodged.
Tekki was getting a bit nervous as he stared at Saitou he still hadn't moved from his spot, "Well aren't you going to do anything?" he growled.
"Why you have my son's life in your hands, you actually think I'd be stupid enough to attack while you're still holding him…" Saitou seethed as he noticed Matsu creep through a window behind Tekki, yet never broke eye contact with the assassin. Crouching low to the ground Matsu cringed when he landed on his feet he had made the smallest of sound grabbing the attention of the assassin. Seeing Tekki about to turn Saitou took a step forward regaining his attention. "Put him down, and I'll let you live…you have my word." Saitou spoke.
Chou chuckled as he slammed the man he was fighting into a wall and kneed him, falling to the floor Chou began kicking him in the chest. Now unconscious Chou turned his attention back to the asshole with the kid.
Tekki grinned, "Oh I'll put him down once the others arrive, we might not have been able to defeat you before but now we are prepared." He assured as he heard people running from one hut to the other calling and yelling for the others that they were being attacked.
"Is that a fact?" Saitou asked then grinned when he heard an explosion, Tekki frowned and looked to the window, as another went off rocking the shacks, Matsu lunged forward grabbing the man's right arm taking the knife away from the child and wrapping his left around Tekki's neck, Saitou rushed forward grabbing his son and ramming his left shoulder into Tekki forcing him to step back releasing the boy from his grasp.
Saitou held on to Tsutomu tightly and quickly backed off to a corner of the shack as he silently looked him over, Tsutomu grasped his father's gi in a death grip refusing to release him as he cried softly his face hidden in Saitou's clothes. Satisfied that he wasn't badly injured Saitou tucked his son into his gi the best he could nearly covering him completely.
Chou went to the door, and looked outside as everyone was scrambling about in a panic running away from the shacks thinking that they were under attack. Four men came to warn the assassins yet they didn't have a chance to utter a word as Chou had quickly killed them off. Eyeing Saitou, Chou breathed a small sigh of relief that the boy was alright his eyes though went wide when he heard the Wolf order Matsu to release the assassin. "What have ya gone nuts?" Chou asked.
"Sir?" Matsu frowned agreeing with the broomhead.
"I said release him…" Saitou growled his right arm around his son his left hand still gripping his sword, as he slowly stood and glanced outside, still hearing the explosions.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Chou seethed thinking Saitou had lost his mind.
Saitou narrowed his eyes, "I gave him my word that I would let him live…"
"Are you certain?" Matsu asked in disbelief.
Saitou glared at the officer, "Don't make me repeat myself…" he hissed.
Slowly Matsu released Tekki and pushed him away, Tekki grinned as he slowly stood, his left hand secretly palming a dagger, standing up straight he looked at Saitou with a smirk, "A child in one hand, a sword in the other…" looking down he started laughing then threw his dagger, Saitou stepped back shielding his son with his body as the dagger missed them by mere inches, As Saitou turned to protect his son he twisted his left wrist and threw his sword at the assassin.
The sword flew through the air piercing the man through the chest, Tekki gasped as he looked down at the sword, "You said…you'd let me live…" he croaked, blood trickling down his chin.
"I did…" Saitou answered plainly then glared at the man, "I just didn't specify how long…" Saitou hissed as he approached, twisted his sword and watched the man's eyes as his life died out, pulling out his sword Saitou flicked it to his left removing the blood from the blade he then looked to Chou, "Would you be so kind as to run a cloth on the blade?"
Chou grinned, "Yeah sure boss…" he answered then looked around and ripped off a sleeve from one of the corpses and cleaned the wolf's sword.
Saitou then sheathed his sword and looked down at his son, "The other Assassins…and the leaders?" he asked.
Chou grinned as he looked to Matsu, "Oh they had an accident when I met them in one of the huts…I'm afraid…Oh hell they're long since dead boss…"
"Sir?" Matsu approached, "You had no intention of arresting any of them did you?" he asked.
Saitou turned to Matsu, "We can always arrest the others later…" he drawled ignoring the question as he looked outside and stepped out of the shack and made his way back to the boat.
As Matsu was about to protest Chou quickly stopped him, "Come on squirt…they kidnapped his wife, after being arrested they escape and now that prick threatened his kid…ya don't expect the boss ta just step back and let them go so they can hurt them again do ya?"
Matsu sighed, "Yeah I guess you're right…but still…"
Chou stepped back in amazement his left arm outstretched, "I'm right…wow I got ya ta agree with me…I'm feelin a bit emotional here…" Matsu rolled his eyes and sighed. "I mean I'm getting all teary eyed and…"
"Oh shut-up…" Matsu growled and pushed Chou aside, heading outside to find his commanding officer.
Chou turned around hearing the man he had beaten groan out. "Hey ya alright there pal?" he asked the man slowly stood and glared at Chou, then noticed Tekki was dead, "What?" Chou smirked, "Ya didn't actually think ya'll would live did ya?" Chou leaned against the wall, "Ya think I don't recognize ya your one of the assassins, I did tell ya before that you three were no match for him…" he chuckled, Han growled as he lunged forward, Chou quickly kicked out his legs tripping the man, Han turned a knife in hand. And quickly dropped it as he felt a sharp pain looking down he saw a sword straight through his stomach. Dropping to the floor Chou sighed as he retrieved his sword, "You fellows should have known better then to mess with a Shinsengumi captain…I may not like the wolf but I wouldn't be as stupid as to mess with his pack, even Shishio wouldn't go as low as to hurt a three year old…Ah why da hell am I talking to a dead guy anyway…" Chou smirked as he rushed out of the shack.
Kida who was a bit on his nerves at the moment looked at the approaching figures, "What the hell where you three doing?"
"Well it's kind ofa long story…" Matsu gave a small smile.
"What…why is he holding a kid…where did he get the kid?" Kida asked looking at Saitou as he walked to the shore and rocked gently, resting his hand on Tsutomu's back in trying to calm him. Saitou turned his back to the men looking at the water as the waves made themselves to the shore, Saitou took a deep breath and kissed his son's forehead and closed his eyes for a moment thanking the gods that Tsutomu was alright. Of course that little silent moment was interrupted when he heard that annoying arguing from the two idiots behind him.
"Hey what ya didn't notice I wasn't behind ya?" Chou huffed as he slapped Matsu upside the head.
"It's not my fault you can't keep up…" Matsu growled pushed Chou away from him.
Chou looked to Saitou, "Boss, can we leave him here?"
"Why were there explosions…what did you three do?" Kida frowned.
"I am not staying on a dead island with corpses you moron…"
"Corpses…what?"
"Why not it'll toughen you up squirt…"
"QUIET!" Saitou yelled he was starting to get a headache. "Both of you shut the hell up…" Saitou approached, "You get on the boat and take us ashore…" he ordered Kida, then turned to Matsu "When we arrive send some men to find the survivors and bury the bodies…" Matsu slowly nodded, Saitou then turned to Chou, "I do not want to hear another argument from either of you is that clear?" he hissed.
"Yeah sure boss…" Chou answered, and watched as Saitou followed Kida back to the boat.
All the way back to the village Saitou refused to release his son, as he rested his chin on top of the boy's head. Tsutomu ran his tiny fingers on his father's gi as he slowly looked at his surroundings, the weird man with the long blond hair was playing with a knife, while the other man looked up and smiled at the boy giving him a small wave, when they arrived on shore Saitou left the two officers to gather their things while he walked down to the beach with his son.
Kida was still extremely confused, Matsu explained to the man that they were police officers and that there were assassins hiding out on the island who had kidnapped their commanding officers son.
As they prepared to leave the village Chou nudged Matsu in the ribs, Matsu glared then looked to where Chou was looking and gave a small smile, Saitou was standing by the water with his son still in his arms, he had tried to put him down only once but Tsutomu had protested by releasing a sharp cry, Tsutomu rested his head on his father's shoulder. Saitou ran his hand on Tsutomu's back and kissed his temple.
Saitou then leaned forward making Tsutomu lean back and locked eyes with him, "Did they hurt you?" he asked his little boy. Tsutomu frowned and hid his face in his father's gi. Saitou smirked as he walked over to a tree and sat down leaning against it he rested his chin on Tsutomu's head, "Will my wolf pup give me an answer?" Saitou asked with a whisper.
Tsutomu sighed as he fingered Saitou's gi. "Man hit…"
"Only once?"
"Mhmmm…"
"Where?" Saitou frowned as Tsutomu leaned back and touched his right cheek, Saitou had noticed before of the bruise, when he had taken him away from Tekki. Gently laying his thumb on the bruise Saitou narrowed his eyes a bit, "Did they do anything else to you?" he asked.
Tsutomu shook his head no, Saitou sighed as he gently pushed him back to his chest, the pup closed his eyes as he listened to his father's heartbeat, Saitou was a bit worried at the though of arriving home only to find his wife and sons dead in the house.
"Hey boss…we're ready ta go when you are…" Chou yelled out. 'Never in my life would I ever witness that man act like that…' Chou chuckled as he finished packing their gear. Saitou slowly stood and carefully covered his now sleeping son within his haori, leaning him against his shoulder, Saitou stood and began walkingup the beach where Matsu held on to three horses while Chou strapped on their packs to the animals. The old man had been kind enough to lend them some horses Matsu had promised that he would return them when they came back.
Taking back the same road they had taken they pushed the horses at a decent pace to get back home as soon as possible, hopefully the road that had been washed out would have a temporary bridge just as Saitou had asked the carriage driver to get someone to make when they arrived. Saitou sighed as it was now beginning to get dark and Tsutomu was protesting and crying out as he was now very hungry, and very tired it didn't help since the three year old couldn't make himself comfortable sleeping on a horse as it walked and always jolted the boy awake. "Alright we'll camp here tonight…" Saitou ordered as he dismounted and held out his arms to pick up his son, Saitou gently laid him on the ground as he untied the pack dropping it on the ground he then led the horse to Matsu who tied it up to a tree.
Chou had gathered some firewood and was starting a small fire, Tsutomu had grasped his father's hakama and followed as he walked towards the fire, placing the pack on the ground, Saitou sat down looking though his pack and watched as his son crawled into his lap and made himself comfortable, "Quiet little fellah ain't he?" Chou chuckled as he chewed on a piece of bread, and watched as Saitou took out a few rice cakes giving one to his son, watching as he greedily ate it, "Damn those mean bastards didn't even feed him…"
"Be quiet Chou…" Saitou drawled as he took out a small canteen filled with water, Tsutomu slowly took a few sips as he grasped the canteen while Saitou still held it, Saitou gave a small smile as he put down the canteen and gave the child something else to eat, Matsu sighed as he sat down and started eating as well looking at the boy. Dreading the question he wanted to ask, taking a deep breath he looked to his superior. "Um sir…I know I shouldn't ask this but how do you think they were able to take your son?"
Saitou glared at the man then turned his attention back to Tsutomu who yawned and rubbed at his eyes, Saitou gathered his son in his arms and leaned against a fallen tree taking out the blanket he had he laid it over the boy and slowly closed his eyes.
Early the next morning Matsu slowly opened his eyes and stretch as he sat up, Chou was lying on his back his arms at the back of his head mumbling something in his sleep about some woman to stop teasing him, rolling his eyes he turned to his superior officer, who was lying on his right side, the blanket up to his mouth, his eyes closed in sleep, Matsu gave a small smile as he saw a little hand out from under the blanket then quickly enter as the blanket moved Saitou's eyes lazily opened as Tsutomu turned and snuggled up to his father's chest. Saitou's eyes slowly closed as Tsutomu settled down and went back to sleep. Yawning, Matsu stood and gathered some firewood and started a small fire, then headed for the nearby river.
Saitou wrapped his arms around his son to settle him down a bit as he snuggled up to his chest, Tsutomu began to suck his thumb in sleep, Saitou had been awake for some time now that stupid question Matsu had asked him had kept him up all night. As he slowly opened his eyes he noticed Matsu had started a small fire and was cooking breakfast he had managed to catch several fish in the nearby river. Chou was mumbling in his sleep, Saitou smirked when he saw that Matsu had stood and went to Chou kicking his legs to get him to wake up, Chou jolted awake, "What…where…Aww why'd ya wake me squirt I was having a good dream, ya don't wake a man when he's havin a dream like that…"
"Oh shut-up breakfast is ready…" he drawled, then turned to Saitou to wake him but Saitou was already slowly sitting up covering his still sleeping son. "Morning sir…" Matsu gave him a small smile, Saitou didn't answer just gave him a small nod as he slowly stood and made his way to the river.
After a few minutes had passed Tsutomu slowly woke-up, looking around he sat up and not seeing his father anywhere began to panic. "Tou-san…" he whispered, then slowly stood, "Tou-san…" he whimpered looking around.
"Hey look who's up…it's alright little fellah, your daddy should be back any minute now…" Chou assured the child, but Tsutomu didn't believe him as he continued to call out for his father, not noticing him coming out of the woods behind him.
"Oh come now…you didn't actually think I'd leave you here alone with those two did you?" Saitou smirked as he kneeled down. Tsutomu ran into his arms, and shook his head no, "Did you sleep well?" he asked, Tsutomu gave a small smile and nodded.
After breakfast, they continued their way back towards police headquarters, pushing the horses in a gallop, they had managed to get back in less then two days, Matsu as ordered went to gather a dozen men while Saitou and Chou rode to Taito street, Saitou narrowed his eyes a bit as he dismounted his horse, extending out his arms he grasped his son and settled him against his hip. A few officers approached their captain and spotting the missing child they stood up straight a bit nervous, "Sir…"
Saitou lifted an eyebrow, "Are my wife and sons alright?" he asked the men nodded, "Tell me why is it I gave you a simple order to protect my family, and during my travels to apprehend the men that escaped the prison cells, I find my three year old in their hands?"
Chou tried very hard in hiding the smile on his face, as the men tried to explain, "Well sir they snuck into the house and drugged your eldest and…"
"Shut-up…and return to the precinct…I'll deal with you all later…" Saitou ordered, Chou looked away as he laughed softly at the men who trembled and rushed off the get the other officers.
Saitou sighed as he made his way towards the engawa, Chou following close behind. Slowly opening the front door Saitou rested his chin on top of his son's who began to rub at his eyes, hearing a ruckus in the kitchen he entered and spotted Mrs.Shino cooking, "I thought I told you to stay outside, can't you people take a…Fujita-sa…Tsutomu…" she rushed to the boy, her hands to his cheeks, then glared at Saitou, "Well what are you waiting for take this child to his mother at once…" Saitou smirked as he turned and looked around the house, Mrs.Shino then eyed Chou, "You sir are staying in this kitchen and are helping me cook diner..."
"What why me?" Chou asked his eyes wide.
"Do you really want to start arguing with me?" she asked crossing her arms.
Chou looked around, 'If she can order Saitou around what's she gonna do to me?' he thought with a small frown, then slumped his shoulders and sighed, "Eh…no ma'am…" Chou smirked as he watched Saitou leave the kitchen.
Following his senses Saitou slowly opened the shoji that led to his room, Tokio seemed a bit dazed as she stared at the blanket covering her lap while Eiji was rocking a sleeping Tsuyoshi. Putting Tsutomu on his feet Saitou opened the shoji fully to give the child full view of his mother.
Seeing her leaning against the wall Tsutomu ran into the room in a frenzy, "Oka…" he chirped, Eiji and Tokio turned to the sound, Tokio gasped as she reached out grabbing her three year old and crushing his little body to her own.
"Tsutomu…" she cried leaning forward to look at him, hoping she wasn't dreaming.
"Lose someone?" Saitou asked with a smirk as he kneeled down beside Eiji, a hand on his newborn's cheek. Eiji gave a small smile as he slowly stood and gently put Tsuyoshi in his father's arms.
"I'm sorry…" Eiji whispered Saitou quirked an eyebrow at the apology.
"You were drugged there's nothing you could have done…" Saitou whispered with a smirk.
Eiji quickly looked away, "Yes but still…"
Saitou cut him off as he grasped the boy's chin forcing him to look in his eyes, "Stop beating yourself over it…he wasn't badly harmed he's alive he's back home…that's all that matters…"
Eiji slowly nodded his head, then looked to his left as he felt a tug on his sleeve, Tsutomu crawled into his lap and hugged the teen, Saitou leaned back against the wall and looked to his wife, "Is it done?" she asked brushing away the tears from her eyes.
"It is…" he answered leaning Tsuyoshi on his shoulder as the babe had woken up and began to fuss.
Tokio leaned her head against his shoulder, "Please tell me you're not going to work tomorrow…"
Saitou chuckled as he made himself comfortable, "I think the precinct can handle me taking a day off…"
Tokio snorted "No that can't be possible, the moment you'll leave them be for more then a day, lightning will strike setting everything aflame, earthquakes will swallow the city whole, the people will panic…Oh the horror…" she quipped.
"Are you done?" Saitou drawled a hint of a smile on his lips.
"For the moment…" she answered nuzzling her husband's neck, Eiji laughed softly, and stood as Tsutomu was fussing he was hungry again.
"I'm gonna go give Tsutomu a snack, can I get you anything aunty Tokio, Saitou-san?"
"No thank-you Eiji…" Tokio whispered with a smile as she watched the teen leave the room with her three year old. Tokio leaned back and looked at her husband, running her left hand through his hair Saitou quirked an eyebrow and looked at his wife as she leaned forward and pressed her lips on his giving him a soft kiss. "Thank-you…" she whispered. "For bringing our son back home…" she specified.
Saitou smirked, "You actually think I would…"
"Don't ruin this moment for me…" she warned cutting him off, and kissed him again.
"Yes dear…" he chuckled, and closed his eyes leaning his head against his wife's relishing the peace and quiet.
Eiji though was laughing when he entered the kitchen, Mrs.Shino had the sword collector wearing an apron as he was helping her he was in front of the stove his eyes wide, "Aw c'mon ma'am can't I cut the vegetables, I'm no good at cooking stuff…" he whined as he nearly set the kitchen on fire.
"Ummm…Mister your hair's on fire…" Eiji spoke up pointing at the man's smoldering hair holding Tsutomu by the hand.
"What…oh man not again…" Chou rushed outside spotting a bucket filled with water he poured it over himself dousing the small flames, "Think I might need a haircut…" Chou mumbled as he dropped the bucket on the ground. "The squirt's gonna mouth off ta me tomorrow that's for sure…" he whined as he entered the Saitou household.
The end…hehehe