ShadowVixen: Glad you like it…:)
gabyhyatt: Thanks:)
Sunnykh: Thank-you:)
Reis Nailo: The first Saitou/Tokio fic I ever read was Hajime and Tokio by Angrybee, and I just fell in love with the couple and I'm glad that you like this fic so here's the next chapter.
Impashence: of course I'll continue I'm not one to just stop in the middle of a story and not continue for like years on end…hehehe:)
Chapter 3 Unexpected Sleepover
A few hours later Saitou groggily woke up, to the sound of someone singing softly, a few of the men were sitting around the fire eating not saying a word as they listened, which was the first for them since they'd use to never shut-up. Saitou slowly stood and made his way to Tokio's tent, "Miss Takagi?" he yawned.
Tokio stopped singing and gave a small smile as she recognized the voice, "You may enter Captain…" she smirked.
Saitou pulled the flaps away as he entered the tent looking around, Tokio was sitting on the floor a blanket wrapped around her shoulders, making his way to the bags in a corner, Saitou pulled out a few blankets as well as a small canteen of water, "Have you eaten?"
"Yes…Okita brought me something earlier…" Tokio answered not moving from her spot, listening to his every move.
"It's morning…the moment you're ready we're leaving…I just need to pack the horses…"
"Pack…we're riding horses?" she asked a bit surprised.
"Unless you want to walk the entire way?" he answered with a sigh. "I trust you're able, your father said you were a good rider…"
"Finally…" she grumbled.
Saitou frowned and looked at the woman. "Finally?"
"Like I enjoy being stuck in a carriage for hours on end…feels like I'm in a prison…" she smiled as she slowly stood and arranged her clothing.
"Hn…" Saitou smirked, "Do you always sing in the morning?" Saitou asked a bit curious.
"Sometimes, depends on the mood I'm in…Is there something you wish to hear?" Tokio quirked an eyebrow.
"No…I just find it amazing that it kept the men outside quiet." He answered shouldering a small bag of food, "Are you ready?" he asked watching as she slowly walked up to him, grasped his arm and nodded.
Saitou held the flaps back as they exited the tent and led her to the horses waiting outside, taking her hand he placed it on the horse's neck. As Saitou proceeded to roll up the blankets and to tie them to the horses, he watched as Tokio brushed her hands against her horse's shoulder and neck to the bridge of it's nose. "Hello…" she whispered kissing it's nose, "What's your name?" she asked. The horse neighed and rubbed up against her. "What color is he?" she asked Saitou not bothering to allow her ears to search for him since she already knew where he was.
"He's brown with white patches…" Saitou answered plainly.
"And a name?" She asked turning her head to the man.
"He doesn't have one…" Saitou continued as he tightened her saddle.
"No name hun…well I'm going to give you one, a beautiful horse like you…" she grinned caressing its neck, "Saikou…I'll call you Sai for short…she grinned laying a small peck on the horse's nose, then felt her way to the saddle, swiftly mounting the horse Saitou did the same leading his horse to a gallop, Tokio's horse did the same as it followed.
After about an hour of riding, the horses were now in a slow walk the two were side by side close to each other, Saitou was listening to his surroundings while Tokio hummed a soft tune, "Are you married Saitou-san?" she asked.
Saitou turned to her, "No…why do you ask?"
"Well we've been riding for a while now and you haven't spoken since we left…I wanted to make sure you hadn't fallen off your horse or something…and since I don't know how well you can ride I figured I'd ask." she grinned, when she heard a small snort. "Is there a special someone you're seeing?"
Saitou sighed, "No and stop asking…"
"Oh you don't like to talk about your personal life?" she grinned.
Saitou looked at her and smirked at the look on her face, "No do you?" he sighed, "Besides it's none of your business anyway…"
"Very well what would you like to talk about?" she quipped.
"Nothing…"
"Not one for conversation are we?"
"Obviously not…now would you please be quiet…" he drawled, as he looked behind them and narrowed his eyes a bit.
'Hmmm think I hit a nerve…' she chuckled inwardly. "How long have you been a captain…Captain?" she smiled turning her head towards him. Saitou frowned as he suddenly sensed something wrong and looked to his right, "Captain?" Tokio continued a bit annoyed that he wasn't answering. "Cap…"
"Quiet…" he ordered seeing shadows run across the trees, "Shit…" he mumbled as he grabbed Tokio's reins and urged the horses to run.
"What?" Tokio asked holding onto her saddle for dear life.
"We're being followed…" Saitou answered as he led the horses to cut through the woods after running for twenty or so minutes, Saitou led the horses to cross a bridge that led to a burned down village. Saitou jumped off his horse and quickly led the horses into the temple that had amazingly survived the fire. Saitou then wrapped an arm around Tokio's waist pulling her from the saddle when her feet touched the ground the captain pushed the horses to continue forward into the temple.
Saitou grabbed Tokio pulling her to follow him leaning her against the wall beside the door and unsheathed his sword. Leaning down with Tokio behind him Saitou narrowed his eyes as he opened up his senses and searched the surroundings for anything that didn't belong. Tokio sat down and rested her chin on his right shoulder. "Who was it?" she whispered breathing into his ear.
Saitou glanced at her for a split second they turned his attention back outside, "No idea…" he whispered trying to focus on seeing something rather than smelling the scent of cherry blossoms, and feeling the curves on his back as she pressed against him. Twenty minutes had passed and Tokio sighed as she rested her head on his back and began to shiver. "Cold?" Saitou whispered.
"Freezing…" she breathed.
Saitou getting an idea took off his haori and draped it around her, "Stay here…" he whispered, as he ran to the back of the temple to look for an exit, climbing out a window Saitou silently walked around his senses searching for a target not spotting one he frowned a bit he knew he hadn't imagined the shadows he had seen. Saitou allowed himself to be seen, leaning against a stone pillar he then placed his katana beside him hiding it from view then took out a cigarette and casually lit it, exhaling a thin cloud of smoke.
A few masked men approached him cautiously, "How long have you been here?" one of them asked his right hand hovering above the hilt of his katana.
Saitou quirked an eye, they didn't recognize him and since he wasn't wearing his blue haori with the white triangles on the sleeves, the symbol of the Shinsengumi Saitou smirked inwardly as he looked at them curiously, "Who me?" Saitou asked placing a small smile on his lips.
"Yes you, you idiot do you see anyone else here?" the man growled.
Saitou looked behind him and shrugged, "I've been here all day sir…" he answered simply.
"All day?" the man repeated not seeming too convinced.
"Yes all day…I traveled all night from our village to come pray at the temple ours was burned down…" he answered taking another drag from his cigarette, "Why is there something wrong?"
The men quickly looked around, "Come on never mind…we're going to lose them if we waste anymore time…" Another man whispered. Growling the masked men leapt into the trees and disappeared.
Saitou sighed as he finished his cigarette, "Morons…" he muttered as he stubbed out the cigarette and retrieved his sword. Slowly walking up the steps he sat down beside Tokio, "Well wait here for a little while…" he whispered then glanced over at the woman who had a mischievous look on her face, "What?"
"You didn't answer my question earlier…" she grinned.
Saitou frowned, "What question?"
"How long have you been a captain…Captain?" she asked snuggling into his haori pulling it closed under her chin.
"Why would that be important to you?" he drawled resting his arm on his knee.
"You said we are to wait here for a while and I refuse to stay quiet…so how long have you be…"
"I joined when I was eighteen…I was made a Captain three years later…" he sighed.
"Three years?" Tokio seemed impressed.
"Yes well…I was well trained the others apparently weren't…" he snorted leaning his head back. "How do you do that?"
"What?"
"I never talk about myself…yet you somehow trick me into telling you everything…" he grumbled. "How do you do that?" he asked looking at her.
"Oh that well it's very simple it has to do with your charming personality and my annoying you to get me to shut-up…" she grinned when she heard Saitou chuckling softly.
Saitou shook his head, "Do you try and confuse every man you meet?"
"Depends on how much they irritate me…" she smiled leaning against the wall.
Saitou scoffed, "Irritate you…What exactly do they do?" he asked a bit curious.
Tokio shrugged, "Well they usually figure if I fall I'll break apart or something or start treating me like a child, I've even met a few men who talked to me as if I were deaf…I mean how much of an idiot do you have to be…WOULD-YOU-LIKE-TO…My goodness I'd sometimes pretend to faint or get sick and rush back into the house…" she giggled and smirked when she heard the man laugh. "How amazing…I've managed to make the famed Wolf of Mibu laugh…how often does that happen?"
"Never…" Saitou breathed, closing his eyes for a moment.
"When was the last time you did laugh?"
"Truthfully…I don't remember…" he chuckled softly as he glanced outside. How long had they been in the temple talking it was already past midday, "Come…we should get going…" he stood and walked over to the horses grasping the reins leading them towards the entrance. Tokio slowly stood and felt her way outside, she smiled as she felt a small breeze blow across her face. Tokio suddenly jumped when Saitou grasped her arm, "There are twenty-seven steps…" he spoke as he guided her to the first.
Tokio easily walked down and smiled when Saitou gave her the reins to her horse, "Hello Sai…did you miss me?" she whispered. The horse shook its head and snorted stomping its left hoof on the ground. Feeling the sun shine down on her Tokio took off the haori lent by the captain and turned to him holding it out, "Thank-you…" she whispered.
Saitou looked at her for a moment then took the haori putting it on, immediately noticing how it smelled of cherry blossoms, "You're welcome…" he whispered in turn then mounted his horse and waited until she did the same. Taking a deep breath he sighed, "I'm getting too soft…" he muttered then looked at his horse an evil grin gracing his lips, 'I should tie Okita to a horse and have him dragged…' the thought quickly left his head as Tokio rode up next to him.
"Is it such a crime to be polite to a lady?" she grinned hearing very well his little muttered complaint.
Saitou smirked, "Don't expect it happening too often…I'm not very well known for being nice…"
The thought of this man being nice made Tokio laugh, since this little journey began he was more annoyed and angry at the fact that he'd be missing several days of duty. Tokio had heard those little hushed ramblings well. "Good heavens…what happens if you get happy, tell me does the world end on that day?" she breathed wiping at the tear that had rolled down her cheek, a hand clutching at her stomach.
Saitou shook his head as he kicked his horse forward, "It might…depends if it's a good day…" as Saitou rode forward, Tokio's horse automatically followed.
XxXxX
After a few hours ride the sunny after noon quickly turned gray as the blue sky darkened, Saitou grumbled this week wasn't going too well, being chased by the Ishins, falling off a cliff. Frankly nothing that bad could happen now…could it, Saitou sighed as his eyes searched for shelter. The few rain drops that fell from the sky were cold the last thing he wanted was to take care of a sick woman.
The rain quickly became heavy as Saitou spotted a farm in the distance, fifteen minutes later Saitou eyed the house beside the barn, not seeing any movement within he led the horses within the barn then quickly closed the doors.
Tokio dismounted her horse and began wringing the water out of her clothes, "Where are we?" she asked taking off her haori and hanging it on the saddle.
"On a farm…" he answered looking around.
"A farm…my aren't you the romantic…" she chuckled quirking an eyebrow and began walking searching for a wall or something solid.
Saitou frowned a bit as he turned to her, "Romantic?"
"Yes romantic…" she sighed taking slow steps, "…First you are ordered to take me on a nice pleasant ride in the country, never gets boring while were being chased by the enemy..." she laughed, turning a bit to her right, "…then a nice little stroll in the rain leads us to a sweet little farm where were staying in a…" she inhaled still walking her arms outstretched, "What smells like a barn filled with nothing but air apparently…" she dropped her arms at her sides, "Does this place have any walls?" she asked turning to him.
Saitou chuckled, "It does…as well as a few stalls, farmers tools and a lot of hay…"
"Oh how quaint…nice and cozy…" she grinned. "I suppose the rain doesn't look as if it's going to end?"
"Not any time soon…" he answered untying the blankets from the horses and taking off the saddle from his horse he led it to one of the hay piles, then turned to Tokio. Since the day quickly turned into night and the rain still hadn't stopped falling, Saitou didn't have much of a choice as they now had to spend the night.
Tokio had managed to find her horse, "Oh you're a good boy aren't you…" she whispered brushing her fingers through the horse's hair, then traveled to the saddle and began to tug at the straps. Saitou approached taking the saddle from her arms and placing it beside his. The horse followed the other and began chewing on the hay.
Walking to Tokio with the blankets in hand, Saitou grasped her arm gently and led her to one of the hay filled stalls he gave her the blankets and sat her down. After draping their soaked haories to dry the wolf searched the barn to make sure they truly were alone. After several minutes he joined the woman and sat down beside her, looking through a bag he passed out a few pieces of bread and fruit. "What no candle lit dinner?" she grinned lifting a piece of bread to her mouth.
"If I light a match in here the building would probably burst in to flames and burn to the ground." Saitou retorted.
"Well at least it would be warmer…" she quipped rubbing her arms.
Saitou looked at her for a moment then sighed as he stood and draped one of the blankets around her shoulders.
"May I ask you a question?"
"That's all you ever seem to be asking me, what makes you think I can stop you from asking me this time…" Saitou drawled as he suddenly felt extremely tired and laid down on the hay wanting to close his eyes for a moment.
"Why is it lately you don't sound like yourself?"
"What?"
"You don't sound like yourself ever since we left camp, it's as if you're hiding or trying to avoid something…"
"I have no idea what you're talking about…" Saitou sighed.
"I've heard many things about the Shinsengumi…the wolves of Mibu…especially the captains from my father…You are the third captain correct?"
"Yes…" Saitou drawled his eyes remained closed.
"From what I've heard, you are an excellent fighter with the sword, no one can match your skill, your are devoted to honor, duty and the code…you fight for Japan…you're also ruthless and not one to show mercy to your enemy, I can understand why when we first met you sounded angry in escorting me to Tokyo, I must be a waste of your precious time…" she quirked an eyebrow as she took a small breath.
"That you were at first, but seeing as you so plainly said earlier our little ride in the country didn't get boring, and you're not as irritating as every woman I've ever met…"
Tokio snorted, "How many did you ever meet?"
"Again with the questions…"
"You're interesting…I want to know more about you…" she smirked. "So…how many…"
"Enough…to make me stop going to those annoying little parties we were always forced to go to…"
"So from your point of view, women are only good for what cooking, cleaning, mating and raising your children?"
"Not entirely…You'd be an exception…"
"Really…how so?"
"Instead of running and screaming during battle, you stood your ground and fought back…"
"I was trained…" she pointed out.
"Yes you were…but you asked about all the women I've met…not every single woman there is in this world." Saitou sighed giving a small yawn. "Now can we please change the subject?"
"No…there's something you're still not telling me what is it? She frowned.
Saitou slowly opened his eyes he had been trying to rid his mind of the thoughts and dreams he kept having of Tokio, he smirked at how she looked at the moment she was angered as he didn't answer her question, actually he refused to answer it. Like he'd tell her that he'd been quite taken with her the past few days. Her eyes had narrowed a bit, her cheeks had a small hint of a blush, her mouth was closed as she tried her hardest to hear any small hint of a sound from him, 'Angry little kitty aren't you?' Saitou quickly shook his head as he found himself starring at her lips again.
"Argh…you're impossible…" she frowned as she turned her head away and crossed her arms then tilted her head, grasping the blanket around her tightly. "You're worried about something…is that why you're so quiet?" she asked.
Saitou opened an eye and looked at her, "What makes you think I'm worried I haven't said a word…"
"Exactly…I can smell it in the air…"
"I'm just tired…" he mumbled, trying to make himself a bit more comfortable, then a thought hit him. "How can you smell it in the air, all I smell is hay…" he smirked.
Tokio sighed at the tone in his voice and kept quiet as she stared forward now deep in thought she hadn't noticed the sudden silence in the barn turning to Saitou she listened to him as he took long deep breaths she smiled as she found that he had fallen asleep.
"Are you sleeping already?" she grinned when she didn't hear an answer or any sign of movement then leaned down beside him starring at where she figured the wolf's face was for a few moments she lightly ran her index finger on his cheek, satisfied that he was indeed sleeping Tokio sighed, "I'm afraid I have a small confession to make…" she whispered, "I wasn't expecting someone like you to take me to Tokyo…I don't even know why father chose his friend in Tokyo…I hate staying there she's nothing but a self-centered wench…" Tokio sighed as she rested her chin on her arms and smiled a little, "You know I figured you'd be either some type of fool who'd treat me like some useless woman or some idiot who'd try to get my attention…I wonder how much trouble I've put you through…" she whispered. "Hmmm…" she smiled, "I don't know what it is about you but I can't help but try to irritate the hell out of you…" she chuckled softly as she wrapped the blanket around herself more tightly since she felt a sudden chill.
"You know except for my father you're the first man that's ever really listened to anything I've ever said…and have actually treated me like a person and not some sacred object that needs to be protected at all times, locked in a cage safe from all harm…" she whispered. "I suppose I should thank you…" she continued slowly closing her eyes and allowed sleep to take her.
Never knowing that her protector's eyes slowly opened and turned to look at her not saying a word Saitou gazed at her features, for some reason now unable to look away, 'This can't be happening…' he thought to himself then slowly closed his eyes, 'I've fallen for her…Takagi's going to kill me…' he sighed. Ever since he'd saved her from the cliff he had a hard time getting her face and voice to leave his thoughts, it surely didn't help in the temple when she pressed against him. 'I can't do this not now…damnit…but she's so perfect…why am I even thinking about this I don't have time to…argh shut up Saitou and get some sleep…' he scolded himself, 'Never thought I'd see the day when a woman would get me to not be able to think straight…how irritating…' he frowned and crossed his arms as he tried to get a little sleep.
XxXxX
The next morning, Saitou slowly opened his eyes now feeling extremely tired since he had hardly slept all night. 'Blasted woman…' he growled softly, the moment his eyes opened they closed again, Tokio's scent wafting through the air his eyes immediately snapped open as he jolted awake and looked at his surroundings, Tokio was nowhere in sight, sighing Saitou ran his fingers through his hair and tightened his ponytail, he'd noticed that Tokio had draped the blankets over him as he slept. Quickly standing he made his way outside to find Tokio sitting and talking with a woman on the engawa beside the house.
Saitou narrowed his eyes as his left hand fingered the hilt of his katana and slowly approached the women, "Oh that is so sweet…" The old woman laughed softly, Tokio blushed a bit as she turned her head towards Saitou.
"Did you sleep well dear?" Tokio quipped arching and eyebrow. "This is Mrs.Kuno…" she introduced.
"Oh my you must be hungry I'll go get you something…" The woman smiled as she left the two alone.
Saitou took a few steps forward and looked at Tokio, before he could say anything she spoke, "What…"
"What are you doing out here?" Saitou ground out not sounding too impressed.
"Well you were passed out, when I woke up someone was shaking me."
"And you didn't think to wake me?"
"You seemed tired I figured you needed the rest since they're coming into the barn didn't wake you I shouldn't…" she grinned innocently as she heard the man release an irritated sigh.
"They could have been the Ishins…I could have been killed in my sleep and still you went along with them…"
"I heard two people, by the sound of their voices I could tell they were old…" Tokio clamped her mouth shut when she heard footsteps.
At that moment the woman came out with a bowl of rice. "Here you go sir I'll go get you some tea to wash that down with…" Saitou smiled and graciously took the bowl politely thanking the woman, as he started to eat. Glancing at Tokio and not liking the innocent look she gave, Saitou sighed.
"What did you say to her?" he growled.
"Well this is entirely your fault…" Tokio accused with a smirk.
"What's my fault?" he asked eating another mouthful of rice.
"I had to tell them something…and the first thing that came to mind was to lie so I told them we were married and…"
"Married?" Saitou coughed out nearly chocking on his rice. 'You devious little…argh…'
"Well what do you expect I say…She and her husband entered the barn, seeing us sleeping so closely she though we were married…I didn't want to be rude, since I've no idea where the hell I am…and I wouldn't want to dishonor you or myself by letting them think we came in here to fornicate or something unless you wanted me to tell them that we were hiding from the Ishins and when we left our hiding place…"
Saitou quickly cut her off, "Shush…quiet…what the…Fornic…" Saitou snorted as he rubbed the bridge of his nose, he so needed a cigarette at the moment. "What exactly have you told them?" Saitou nearly yelled almost dropping the half eaten bowl of rice, then rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a headache coming along.
"Well I don't think I should tell you…you'll probably get mad…" she grinned wickedly.
"Tokio…" Saitou seethed in a warning tone.
"We've just been married and we were heading to Tokyo and got caught in the downpour…we didn't mean to trespass, we would have come at the house but it was getting late and we didn't want to be rude…" she grinned.
Saitou stared at the woman for a few moments not saying a word, "How can one woman give me so much trouble…" he grumbled as he sat down beside her, and finished his breakfast. Hearing Mrs.Kuno stepping outside Tokio grinned as she rested her chin on Saitou's shoulder whispering in Saitou's ear to be nice. Saitou growled as he glared at her. "You should be punished for this…" he hissed back.
"There you go…" the old woman smiled taking the now empty bowl of rice from his hands.
"Thank-you ma'am…" Saitou answered placing a fake smile on his lips.
"Oh you're very welcome…" she grinned sitting down, "Tokio was telling me that you two have just been married…" Saitou smirked as he looked at Tokio who had a huge grin plastered on her face.
"Oh yes…she is the love of my life…" Saitou smiled leaning to her ear, "You are so paying for this later…" he whispered sipping his tea.
"I don't doubt it…" she grinned whispering in turn.
After a long conversation Saitou insisted that they had to leave, after thanking them again Saitou led his 'wife' into the barn. Mrs.Kuno now joined by her husband followed to bid them farewell, the old woman continued to chat with Tokio while Mr.Kuno strapped on the saddle to Tokio's horse, "Are you sure you won't stay for dinner…" she asked.
"Thank-You very much but we really should get going…" Saitou walked up to Tokio and helped her get on her horse, grasping the reins to both horses Saitou led them outside. As they rode off Saitou turned to Tokio an evil smirk still graced her lips, "Not one word…so help me…" he growled.
Tokio chuckled softly, "Yes dear…"