Shadow Vixen: isn't she I just grin everytime I start a new chapter :)
cleo: I like to torture them with my twisted little mind, lol bow to me, kick that guy's ass, give your sweety a kiss…hehehe giving orders is fun.
Hasso: glad you like it, I know it's kinda odd to see Saitou act like that but he's still kick ass and not one to take any crap from anybody…hehehe
child-of-draco: I know…it's so rare that you see anything knew with those two, glad you like the fic, enjoy the next chapter.
Lia: I know it's so much fun
Impashence: Thank-you, I'm glad you love it…okay,okay,okay,here,here,here, enjoy,enjoy,enjoy
Chapter 5 A happy ending maybe…
Sad that they would part soon, Tokio couldn't help but think that he was hiding his feelings for her and that's why he had stopped last night and left before it had gone any further, yet she knew that he would never admit it, she just wanted one sign one single gesture that would tell her what he felt. She had already shown him how much she meant to him last night. She sighed, 'Men…they might fight bravely and have the courage to do battle, but when it came to telling a woman they love them they were as cowardly as a dog.'
The next day Tokio took her time in getting ready not hearing a word from the famed wolf of Mibu, yet she could feel his eyes on her, Saitou gently grasped her arm and walked her to the stable helping her on her horse and rode with her across the marketplace leading her to Sen's house, Tokio had a small frown on her face since last night, Saitou helped her get off her horse, and led her through the gate, now surrounded with a few trees. Tokio slowly turned to him. "Well thank-you for escorting me captain…" she whispered stepping forward, "May I?" she asked.
Saitou quirked an eye at the saddened look on her face it didn't suit her and stepped forward. Tokio laid her hands on his chest slowly lifting them to his face caressing his skin for the last time, Saitou just stared at her as she bit her lower lip, trying to figure out what he was feeling too see beneath his mask, but he wouldn't allow her to see. Tokio frowned as she still couldn't tell.
Slowly lowering her hands she leaned forward and rested her head to his chest listening to his heart, Saitou still hadn't moved but tried to control his breathing better, Tokio closed her eyes as a small smile graced her lips.
Saitou leaned his head down, "I have to go…" he whispered closing his eyes for a moment memorizing her scent. Tokio slowly nodded and gently grasped his face again she placed a small kiss on his left cheek, Saitou's eyes widened a bit at the gesture.
"Safe journey then…" she whispered back then looked away and walked to the door.
Saitou stared at her until the shoji slid closed, shaking his head he turned and left a bit grateful that his mission was over and done with, yet a little annoyed at the thought of not hearing her laugh again, taking out a cigarette he placed it between his lips and lit it, 'Now the quickest way to get back to Kyoto…' he thought.
Half an hour later Saitou was walking his horse down the path that led to Kyoto, his thoughts in disarray as he began thinking of the woman he had left behind. "This is madness…" he growled, 'How can one woman have power over me like that?' he thought to himself and frowned when he heard a least two dozen horses rushing down the path he was on narrowing his eyes he stopped his horse and quirked an eye at the look on Okita's face, as the horses came to a halt.
"What the hell are you doing here…where's Tokio-san?" Okita asked with a frown.
"I did as was asked by Takagi and brought her to his old friend's house so she would be safe…what the hell are you panicking about, better yet what the hell are you doing here?" Saitou growled.
"The Ishins are in Tokyo…they know who she is…Takagi's in a panic…"
Saitou narrowed his eyes a bit as he mounted his horsed and urged the animal to run back towards Tokyo, Okita and the others followed the wolf hoping they weren't too late.
XxXxX
After being left in Tokyo, Tokio entered what was to be her room and after bathing she changed into a dark red kimono with white lilies embroidered on the sleeves, Sen her caretaker insisted that they spend the day at the market, Tokio sighed as she was practically dragged out of her room.
Now walking down the street Tokio didn't seem to impressed as her father's friend led her through the city to do a little shopping, Tokio wasn't really in the mood and hardly listened to anything the woman said as she talked to herself and laughed giggling at how long it took her to get ready and how difficult it was to find a good shade of rouge for her lips, Tokio slowly counted to ten. When that didn't work she turned to desperate measures, "I am terribly sorry Sen, I wish you no disrespect but if I hear another word about hair, clothes or make-up, I will break your fingers…" she laughed softly and plastered a fake smile on her lips.
The woman who was about twice Tokio's age huffed and clamped her mouth shut. Tokio smirked inwardly and reveled in the silence, except for the sound of the people in the marketplace, she frowned as she heard screams and felt people suddenly pushing at her to get out of the way, "TOKIO…" Sen screamed as she had lost her grip on the woman and was being pushed away from her.
XxXxX
"I thought the attack was to take place in Kyoto…" Saitou growled.
"It was until the Ishins somehow found out that the woman you were protecting was Takagi's daughter, they know that if they have her, Takagi would do anything to get her back…" Okita answered.
"Damnit…" Saitou hissed, as they approached the city. He along with three of his men rode all the way to Sen's house, while Okita and the others went to face the Ishins. Jumping off his horse Saitou rushed into the house, "TOKIO…" he yelled spotting a servant he grabbed the woman by the arm, "Where is she?"
"Miss Sen brought miss Tokio to the market…" she yelped. Saitou released the woman and ran outside.
Arriving at the market he ordered his men to help the others and try to keep the Ishins back while the crowd ran away, his head snapped to the right when he heard a woman scream, "TOKIO…"
"Fuck…" he growled as he spotted her in the middle of the street and watched her struggling against the panicked citizens of Tokyo, dismounting his horse he pushed his way towards the woman.
XxXxX
Tokio tried to push her way back to her previous spot being stuck in the middle of a terrified crowd in the middle of the street while being pushed and shoved around, trying to grasp anything that seemed solid in order to save her from being led astray or worst pushed to the ground and being trampled. Frowning she was being rudely turned around so now she was confused as to where she was headed, feeling a bit frustrated she growled out in a panic, then felt a hand grasp hers and began to lead her away, pulling herself forward she grasped the person's arm immediately recognizing the scent… "I thought you had left…" she breathed.
"You are under my protection…you expect I leave you to get raped and murdered by the Ishins?" Saitou growled as he pushed a few civilians out of his way. "MOVE…" he growled, glancing over to the field beside them Saitou frowned as he watched the Shinsengumi and the Ishins doing battle, Tokio held on to Saitou with such intensity her knuckles turned white as she heard the clashing of swords and the shouting of men as well as their cries as they died. Saitou led her to a fallen carriage and pushed her to sit, keeping her from view. "Stay here…" he commanded looking around then kneeled to her. "I swear you move from this spot…" he growled.
"I won't…" she whispered her hands touching his face. Saitou rested his forehead against hers for a brief moment and laid a small kiss on her lips then quickly stood and ran into battle. Tokio gasped as her right hand floated to her mouth, 'He kissed me…' she then let a small smile grace her lips then turned her head listening to the battle going on behind her she winced when she heard an explosion.
After several minutes everything became quiet, Tokio held her breath as she listened to the sudden silence, she could hear a few moans and groans as well as a dozen men as they ran past the fallen carriage. Waiting a few more minutes she frowned and slowly stood and began walking around, stumbling over something she gasped as she felt around her hands jerking back and shaking finding out that she had stumbled over a corpse, her hands shakingly touching the man's face she breathed a small sigh of relief knowing this was not her wolf and continued on her way. Crawling around Tokio began to panic as she feared Saitou had been slain.
Feeling around her hand brushing against something soft, finding out that it was an arm, Tokio hesitated a moment then gasped as she suddenly smelled cigarettes and sage she gently shakes the man, "Captain…CAPTAIN?" she yelled shaking him violently her hands brushing on a few damp spots on his gi, feeling for his chest she leaned down to listen hearing only a slow heartbeat.
Tokio frowned when she noticed his chest wasn't moving, which meant he wasn't breathing, her hands moved to his face her lips close to his, she felt no breath, "No…Hajime…" she whispered tilting his head back and began breathing into him, not knowing that a certain red haired Battousai wasn't more then a few feet away watching this woman trying to save her protector.
To Himura's surprise Saitou coughed out gasping for breath, his eyes snapped open as he looked around, Tokio wrapped an arm around his shoulders to help him sit up, "Wh-what…hap-pened…" Saitou coughed up, trying to force air in his lungs.
"How the hell should I know?" Tokio breathed her hands clutching his haori, feeling around for any broken limbs, Saitou rested his forehead against her left shoulder as he took slow deep breaths and tried to remember what had happened, a grenade had been thrown near him as he fought with two Ishins, he was thrown to the ground pieces of shrapnel imbedding themselves in the wolf.
Saitou inhaled taking a deep breath and found himself encompassed in a pleasant aroma, he blinked a few times since he seemed a bit lost at the moment, and smirked at the intoxicating scent of cherry blossoms, 'Tokio…smells of cherry bl…' his thought was cut short as he narrowed his eyes when he looked over Tokio's shoulder at the Battousai who stood and smirked at the Shinsengumi Captain, "Do you still have your kunais?" Saitou whispered.
"Yes…why…" she whispered back.
"Just listen and prepare yourself…" he ordered.
"How many are there?" she asked slowly taking them out.
"One…" Saitou growled and kneeled grasping his sword while pushing her behind him rather roughly.
"How can one be a problem?" she growled, her head moving to try and find a target.
Saitou slowly stood holding his sword in front of him as he faced his opponent, "Well now what's this…I'd never thought of you to bring your woman into battle Saitou…" Himura grinned, "Not very smart…she might get hurt…especially since she seems to not be able to see."
"Shut-up and attack Battousai…" Saitou growled.
Tokio's eyes widened at the sound of the familiar name. What amazed her more is that Saitou didn't correct the hitokiri as he had claimed that she was the wolf's woman. Turning towards the voice Tokio felt the air surrounding her woosh of sorts as Saitou had been in a Gatotsu stance and lunged forward she then heard the clash of sword, and those familiar battle cries. She frowned as she heard the grunts and groans as the men hit and swung their swords at each other. It was extremely frustrating as she couldn't tell who was winning.
Hearing a noise behind her, Tokio turned her head and found herself tackled to the ground a hand clamped to her mouth. Now extremely angered Tokio fought back as she rammed her palm in the man's face then turned her body to allow her left elbow to jab the man in the neck flipping the kunai in her hand she quickly brought the blade to slice the man's throat. Pushing his corpse off her Tokio kneeled and listened to the battle between the two samurais.
Hearing shouts from afar, Tokio heard a small whisper, "We'll finish this battle some other time wolf…" then the scurrying of feet as they ran off, Saitou took several steps back then dropped to his knees as he pulled back his haori to look at the wounds he had received from the grenade and a few from Himura's sword, he turned his head to see Tokio had stood and with her arms extended slowly walked to him, laying a hand on top of his head, Tokio plopped down on the grass beside him.
"Thought I told you not to move…" Saitou smirked looking at her his arm reaching out to allow his thumb to brush away the few tears that had fallen on her cheeks as well as the streak of blood from her attacker.
"I'm a disobedient woman…besides you'd be dead if I hadn't…now quit arguing…" she smiled leaning into his touch.
"Are you hurt?" he asked eyeing her over.
"No…are you?" she asked her hands grasping his as it still caressed her cheek.
"Nothing too serious…" he breathed as he watched Okita and a few of his men rush towards the two.
"Saitou-san…Miss Tokio…are you alright?" he asked dropping to his knees seeing blood on the third captain Okita quickly pulled on Saitou's gi to look at his wounds, "I swear my eyes grew three times their size when I saw that grenade go off and you flying through the air…"
Saitou rolled his eyes and snorted, "I'm fi…" he answered suddenly falling forward as he passed out from the exertion of his fight with Battousai and the blood loss.
XxXxX
Saitou woke up a few hours later in a tent, his chest and shoulder were bandaged up and he was covered in a few blankets, his eyes slowly opened as he felt something brush against his hand as well as felt a soft breath on his cheek. Turning his head to the right he found Tokio laying on a futon beside him in a deep sleep, "She refused to leave your side until she knew that you were alright…she slapped me a few times when I first tried to get her out of here." Okita chuckled as he sat at the tent's entrance, "Oh and don't get up to quickly although they don't feel it your wounds are severe…" Okita warned, then turned to the tent entrance as a soldier entered whispering a message to the first captain.
"Don't feel…hn…" Saitou snorted 'Like he'd know…' he then looked to Okita. "What is it?" Saitou sighed and closed his eyes he was so tired.
"Eh…uh Kondou and Takagi have just arrived…Saitou…Sai…" Okita chuckled softly as the wolf had passed out again.
A few moments later Takagi rushed into the tent quirking an eye at the sight of his daughter sleeping next to Saitou, he then looked to Okita who only shrugged. Takagi silently walked over to Tokio and looked her over, "How long has she been sleeping?"
"A little over an hour…" Okita answered plainly then bowed his head as Kondou entered, looking at Saitou a bit surprised.
"What happened?" he asked his first Captain.
"Ishins decided to attack…Saitou fought with the Battousai after being hit with shrapnel as a grenade blew not far from where he stood doing battle…"
"And Takagi's daughter…"
"Is very violent…" Okita quipped rubbing his left arm then seeing the look on the men's face deciding to stop with the small sense of humor, "Eh…she refused to leave his side sir…"
"Tokio…" Tetsu whispered shaking her gently, Tokio's eyes slowly fluttered as she groaned, "Tokio…" Tetsu whispered again.
Tokio slowly turned her head, "Father?" she mumbled rubbing at her eyes.
"Are you alright?" Tetsu asked breathing a sigh of relief. She slowly nodded as she sat up and began patting the floor, "What are you searching for?" he asked.
Tokio didn't answer until her hands tapped on Saitou's arm, she ran her hands on his chest and frowned feeling the bandages, "Will he be alright?" she asked.
"He should be fine…" Kondou answered with a small smile. Tokio frowned a bit not recognizing the voice, "Is something wrong?" he asked.
"I'm sorry I don't know your voice…may I ask who you are sir?"
Kondou chuckled softly, "I am Kondou Isami…"
"Oh…eh…um…" Tokio laughed nervously as she searched for her father… "Father…"
Takagi smirked, "Yes my treasure?"
"What is the leader of the Shinsengumi doing here?" she whispered.
Kondou couldn't help but chuckle, "I came to check on my third captain…I heard from a few of my soldiers that if it wasn't for you he'd have died…"
"Well I couldn't just let him die not after all the trouble I've caused him…"
"Trouble?" Kondou and Tetsu spoke together.
"Oh…it's nothing really…" she smiled sweetly and hoped the questioning would end there. Glaring at where Okita was snickering in a corner. "Father could you perhaps lead me outside for a bit of air?"
"Of course…" he whispered helping her stand, as father and daughter were now outside, Takagi sighed as he wrapped his left arm around her right, "Tell me how did your little journey here fare?"
"Oh it was a grand adventure…should do it more often…" she answered with a small hint of sarcasm.
Tetsu chuckled as he looked forward, "And the captain…"
Tokio smiled at the tone in the man's voice. "What about him?"
"Well when I arrived I didn't expect to see you so…so…" lost for words Tetsu sighed and began again, "…of all the men that came to visit you my treasure I've never seen you look so attached to this one…what exactly has he done to win your affections?"
"Oh father please, the captain was a complete gentleman…" she drawled a small frown appeared on her face.
"Tokio…" he whispered resting his forehead against her temple.
"Father please could we perhaps change the subject…" she gave a fake smile.
"Of course…" he answered, "We'll speak of this later…" he smiled.
After walking around the camp for a few minutes Kondou was now outside the tent with his first captain, he gestured for Takagi to join them.
An old couple walked among the camp and spotted a familiar someone near a tent. "Tokio…" the woman called out. Hearing her name Tokio looked around moving her head to the voice, "Oh Tokio we heard that there was a battle here…my dear are you alright?"
Tokio narrowed her eyes a little then recognized the voice, "Mrs.Kuno…Oh…eh…how good it is to hear you…" she smiled.
Mrs.Kuno looked around, "My dear where is your husband?" she asked a bit worried.
"HUSBAND?" Tetsu looked at his daughter rage could be seen in his eyes as well as heard in his voice.
"Oh yes he's fine…father this is Mrs.Kuno…I wonder if you could take me to the tent I feel a bit ill…" she whispered grasping his arm she nearly dragged him in the tent, "Do not over react…the captain was sleeping when they arrived and telling them that we were married was the first thought that came to mind…"
"That son of a bitch I'll kill him…" he growled glaring at the unconscious captain still sleeping within the tent. Taking a few deep breaths to try and calm himself, he looked to his daughter, "Are you angry with me?" Tetsu asked with a heavy sighed.
"Father please…nothing happened…" Tokio tried to calm her father who started pacing the tent.
"Can't wait until he wakes up so I can knock him unconscious again…son of a…" he turned to her, "He better not have touched you…"
"No…I told you he was a gentleman father this is my doing…besides I can take care of myself, you have taught me to defend myself…now calm down…" she growled out, resting her fists on her hips, her head following his movements.
Tetsu turned to his daughter, seeing the look on her face he sighed, "Alright come let's go to Sen's house…and no arguments." He warned as he grasped her arm and led her out of the tent.
XxXxX
A few days had passed and Saitou had been moved into an inn where he and the rest of the Shinsengumi stayed until they were ready to head back to Kyoto. Tetsu walked up the steps to the captain's room and knocked at the shoji door, hearing the man say 'enter' Tetsu opened the door and looked at the injured captain. Saitou was resting against the wall sipping at some horrid concoction to help his wounds heal.
"How are you feeling Saitou-san?" Tetsu asked approaching the man.
"I've had better days sir…" he sighed leaning back trying to get more comfortable.
"You know I've heard the most disturbing news a few days ago, an elderly couple entered camp and apparently you and my daughter are married…" he sighed as he sat beside the captain.
Saitou rolled his eyes, "Sir…"
Tetsu cut him off, "Let me finish…now I've heard her version I'd like to hear yours…"
Saitou sighed as he told the man how they were chased by the Ishins, fell off a cliff, slept in a barn as well as that irritating little conversation with the elderly couple and when they fell through the rickety old bridge, although he did leave out the changing in the woods part. He wasn't in the mood to fend off a pissed of martial artist, when he had finished Saitou frowned a bit at the man's reaction, "Sir?"
"Interresting…Tokio's version wasn't as detailed as yours…"
'Hn I'm sure it wasn't…' Saitou smirked
"Tell me captain…what do you think of my daughter?" Tetsu asked curiously.
Saitou quirked an eye, "Well sir I think she's smart, well mannered, courteous…"
Tetsu smirked cutting the man off, "Answer that question again but this time pretend I'm not her father…" he smirked.
Saitou looked at the man for a moment, "Truthfully?"
"It better be…"
Saitou sighed, "Can't believe I'm saying this…" he paused for a moment, "In my opinion I think she's a sarcastic little minx that'll do anything to irritate any and every man alive…and she enjoys doing it." he drawled. Well what do you expect he's not going to tell the man that after spending five days with his daughter that he's fallen in love with her he's not that much of an idiot.
At that Tetsu laughed, "No wonder she's so fond of you…"
"Sir?"
"You're about the only man that hasn't run for the hills at the sight of her…" he chuckled. "Why is that?"
"I was ordered to escort her here…and that's what I did…" Saitou answered plainly.
"And what will you do now?"
"The moment I'm able I will rejoin my men and assume my duties…"
"And let me guess you'll not want to see her again?" Saitou didn't answer that question since he didn't know what to answer, Tetsu smirked as he slowly stood, "Well I'll let you rest god knows you need it…" he chuckled as he walked to the door. Then turned to him, "I know very well that you are an honorable man and if you are so fond of my daughter I just might allow you to see her…" he smirked, "Although if you harm her in any way no force on this earth will save you from my wrath…" he chuckled.
XxXxX
A few more days had passed and Saitou found himself walking to Sen's house, slowly entering through the gate, Saitou spotted her tending to a garden without making a sound he winced as he kneeled down and leaned against the nearest tree, he watched as Tokio gently grasped each little plant and loosened the soil around it, Saitou hadn't noticed Tetsu had come out of the house and spotted him, narrowing his eyes a bit he stepped back and watched the captain.
Tokio began to hum a little tune as she picked up some dirt and moved it around sitting back a little she stretched her neck grabbing Saitou's attention she fisted the dirt and threw it at the wolf who quickly lifted his arm to shield his face. "Are you going to just sit there?" Tokio asked with an evil grin.
"How did yo…oh never mind…" Saitou grumbled as he watched her stand and walk up to him, while he brushed off the dirt on his sleeve. Tetsu now a bit curious and donning a grin leaned against the house, crossed his arms to his chest and watched the two as they had their little conversation.
"I thought you told father you were leaving…" Tokio whispered her hands resting on her knees.
"I did…" Saitou answered staring in front of him.
"Yet here you are…Oh I know you decided to come visit this lovely garden…" Tokio quipped then frowned leaning close to him, "Is it a lovely garden…I've been pulling an awful lot of weeds…"
Saitou chuckled softly as he looked around, the garden clearly hadn't been taken care of in at least the last few years. "Needs a woman's touch…"
Tokio gave a small smile as she wiped her hands on her kimono then slowly lifted them and lightly touched his face. "A small frown…not for me I hope?" she whispered.
Saitou smirked as he found himself leaning into her touch, "I don't know what it is about you but you're not as annoying as everyone else I've ever met…"
"So I've heard…Should I take that as a compliment?" Tokio quipped as she lowered her hands.
"I wouldn't call that a compliment…" he answered gazing at her eyes.
"No what would…oooh how about, you're beautiful, no even better gorgeous, exquisite, scrumptious wait is that even a word…ooh no how about…" she quipped but was cut off.
Saitou chuckled softly, "Tell me is there a way to make you stop talking?" Saitou sighed leaning his head back glancing at her.
"Yes…" Tokio answered simply fingering the sleeve of his gi and leaning her chin on his shoulder.
After a moment of silence, Saitou leaned his head down a smirk plastered on his lips, "…and what is it?"
Tokio chuckled softly, "Hn…like I'd tell you…"
"Killjoy…" Saitou muttered as he smirked, "I think perhaps I might know of a way…"
Tokio leaned back looking at him a smile on her lips, "Really…and what might I ask is your way of keeping me quiet…does it involve a gag, or perhaps…" Tokio was cut off when Saitou cupped her cheeks and gently pulled her forward placing a soft kiss on her lips. Tokio slowly closed her eyes as he deepened it, her arms wrapped around his shoulders. "Thought you said you weren't going to kiss me?" she whispered with a small grin.
"Well it's the only way I could get you to keep quiet…" Saitou whispered as he kissed her again.
After the second kiss was broken, Tokio tilted her head her right hand to his left cheek, "So what happens now?"
"Now, I'm hoping your father won't kill me since he's standing over there…" he chuckled, "Stay here a moment…" he whispered as he slowly stood to have a small talk with the man.
The small talk grew to be an extremely long one and finally both men emerged from what was the living room where Sen used to entertain her guests, Tokio who had cleaned herself up was in the kitchen cutting vegetables smirking as she heard her father enter the kitchen Tokio sighed. "Are you two done grunting, scratching and spilling blood…because if there's blood everywhere I'm not cleaning it up…" she drawled turning to the man.
Tetsu chuckled as he gently grasped her arms, "There's no blood…" he assured.
"And what exactly have you two been talking about that had to take most of the day to discuss?"
"You…"
"Really how sweet…I feel so special now."
"He asked my permission to court you…which I find a bit odd coming from him…"
"Doesn't it…" Tokio chuckled, "…and?"
Tetsu huffed a bit, "I'll allow it…" he then smirked, "I wonder if he knows what he's getting himself into?"
"I think he might have an idea…" she quipped.
A/N: Should I stop there hmmm decisions, decisions…