Chapter 7 Don't mess with the Wolf
Shinji entered headquarters a bit annoyed, the moment he had seen her he'd found himself falling for the woman, 'How can she be blind…' he groaned as he entered the dinning area and sat at one of the tables. Spotting captain Okita apparently eating breakfast with Takagi he sighed as he leaned back and closed his eyes, they immediately opened when he heard their conversation.
"Do you think perhaps it was the Ishins?" Okita asked sipping his tea.
"No I don't think so…Tokio said that the man had met her here before…"
"Is that why you brought her here, to see if she can point him out?"
"No her grandmother came to visit…there's not a lot you can say about her except that she's a frightening woman…" he smirked when Okita chuckled.
"Does Saitou know she's here?"
"No…we've just arrived…I haven't seen him…"
"Just between us…Has he been behaving himself while courting her?" Okita chuckled.
"He better…" Takagi warned, finishing his bowl of rice.
Shinji looked at the men and scoffed, 'He's courting her…that can't be…' his eyes narrowed as he stood and headed for the dojo.
XxXxx
Saitou sighed as he entered the dojo, 'Another day to brutalize the new recruits.' he thought then chuckled inwardly as he spotted his first victim, "Shinji…I hope you've been training hard…" Saitou drawled as he urged the man to step forward.
Shinji narrowed his eyes as he took a stance, 'This seems promising…' Saitou mused as he saw the determination in the man's eyes. Shinji lunged forward, Saitou stepped back grabbed the man's left arm and tripped him sending him crashing into a wall. Saitou sighed, "You're not focused…" he drawled.
"Of course he's not focused he probably has visions of a pretty little woman in mind." One of the men laughed.
Shinji was extremely pissed off as he stood and faced Saitou again, 'How can this uncaring man be seeing that beautiful, sweet, innocent little creature?' he thought to himself. Saitou turned to Shinji waiting for the man to attack. Shinji did so only to find himself straining in a hold, gasping in pain his arm felt as if it would twist and break off.
This type of punishment went on until Saitou got tired beating up the man, and decided to pair the newbies up watching as they blocked and dodged each others blows.
Two hours had passed and the new recruits were now badly bruised and rubbing their limbs in trying to get the pain and stinging to go away, Saitou not looking as if he had run a sweat, dismissed the recruits then turned when he heard Okita call out to the wolf. "What is it Okita?" Saitou drawled as he glanced behind him as several of the recruits gathered and began talking amongst themselves. Shinji gasped at the beauty standing by the door, his eyes widened and a smile crossed his lips.
"Oh we have a visitor…" Okita mused as he turned to give view of Tokio entering the dojo wearing a dark green kimono tied with a chestnut colored obi, a few hair sticks holding her hair up. "It seems that someone has trespassed on the Takagi residence yesterday, Takagi-san doesn't want his daughter to stay with a visiting grandmother for some odd reason…and…"
'Trespasser?' Saitou quirked an eye, "Enough…yes I know the harpy…" he sighed waving off the first captain as he walked over to his lady, "I take it that you're hiding from your grandmother?" he drawled.
"How did you guess?" Tokio quipped.
"You know you're supposed to respect your elders…" he smirked.
"I do respect my elders…it's just that she's crazy…" Tokio answered simply.
"It's not very often that women roam around these halls…Let me guess you got bored waiting in your father's office?"
"No…I was just heading to the kitchen to help and Okita found me…" she grinned, "He said that since you now have a few hours before beginning patrolling the streets, it would be the perfect time for me to come annoy the hell out of you…"
"Annoy?" he narrowed his eyes and turned to see a smiling Okita giving him a small wave.
"Ahun…I don't know what he had in mind but I might have a few ideas…" she tried to hide an evil grin.
"Don't-you-dare." He whispered.
"Oh please…you don't actually think I'd give a show to your men do you…" she smirked as she heard him sigh. Tokio giggled then frowned, "Speaking of your men what's with all the arguing?"
Saitou turned apparently several soldiers where yelling and hitting each other starting a brawl, "Stay here…" Saitou whispered, Tokio frowned and tilted her head as she listened, hearing someone approach and grab her arm a bit roughly Tokio palmed her kunai and swiped the blade at the man missing him by a few inches, the man gasped and kept stepping back as Tokio continued to attack.
Saitou stared down at a few new recruits and barked out an order, everything became quiet for half a second as he and Okita tried to regain order, Saitou suddenly heard a swish and grunt. His eyes widened a bit as he turned his head to find Tokio was about to kill one of his men, Saitou lunged forward and pushing the man back he ducked, turned and grabbed Tokio's right wrist, holding it above her head he then pushed her against the wall with his body. Tokio frowned as her attacker wasn't moving, smelling a familiar scent her left hand went to the man's face, a small smile graced her lips as she chuckled softly, "Oh it's you…Hello…" she whispered.
"Indeed…" Saitou smirked as he lowered her right arm but did not release her as he turned to look at the fight which was quickly dying down he glanced at the man Tokio had nearly killed. Narrowing his eyes he then walked over to Okita who was looking over a few serious wounds three men had adorned in trying to stop the fight.
Okita noticing the two stood, "Well that was fun…" he chuckled "Are you alright miss Tokio?" he smirked as she shrugged and nodded.
"Stay with Okita…" Saitou ordered his lady gently pushing her forward, then looked to Okita, "Make sure she doesn't try to kill anymore of our men…" he chuckled.
"Is that what I was doing?" Tokio grinned. "He grabbed me so roughly and with the yelling I figured we were under attack or something…" she sighed brushing a few stray hairs behind her ear.
Saitou turned and walked back to Shinji who was brushing himself off, "What were you doing?" Saitou narrowed his eyes at the man.
"The fight was moving towards her…I was protecting her…" the man shouted jealous hate could be seen in his eyes.
Saitou quirked an eye, "She's not yours to protect…" he answered.
"Are you kidding if you hadn't noticed she's blind…" Shinji growled, Saitou tilted his head and narrowed his eyes at him. Seeing that he had spoken out of line Shinji added, "Sir…"
"Yes she is blind…and she nearly killed you…" Saitou seethed glaring at the man, then added, "If you hadn't noticed…" then turned and left, "Fucking idiot…" he growled under his breath. Saitou then yelled out an order getting everyone to clear out of the dojo except for those who had started the fight. After warning them that if this were to ever happen again, they'd be severely disciplined. Saitou glanced behind him as they stepped nervously out of the room, "Undisciplined fools…" Saitou hissed.
"Come now Saitou I'll deal with them…" Okita volunteered, "Tokio why don't you take Saitou outside and try to calm him…" the man suggested. "Last thing I need while patrolling is a pissed off Saitou…" he muttered, Tokio couldn't help but giggle as she grasped Saitou by the arm.
"Come Captain, I think you may be in need of a cigarette…" she smiled when she heard Saitou grunt as he led her out.
Now outside Saitou took a breath, "Okita told me that someone trespassed at your home yesterday…"
Tokio scoffed, "Yes…apparently the idiot climbed the fence and crashed through the gazebo…" although she didn't hear anything from her wolf she could feel the muscles in his arm tighten as he made a fist, "…the things he said…I think I've met him before but I can't place the voice…" she continued.
"Did he harm you?" he frowned narrowing his eyes at a few civilians passing by.
Tokio couldn't help but smile at his tone of voice, "No…Suki chased him away… Hmmm protective aren't we…" she answered, then thought for a moment, "He said we met in the hall of Shinsengumi headquarters…wait Okita said his name before he scared him off Sh-something…I think he feared the man he stuttered when Okita arrived."
"If he had any brains he'd fear me more…I'll have to ask Okita about it later…"
After walking for about ten minutes, Tokio lifted her head, "Now where are we exactly?"
Saitou looked around, "At the bridge that leads out of the city…why?"
"Are we facing East?"
"Yes…"
"Good…" she grinned as she led the wolf across the bridge, counting her steps and turning a few times, Tokio had led the captain in a field.
"Where exactly are you taking me?" Saitou asked a bit curious as she led him through the thigh high grass.
"Somewhere a bit private…" she grinned as she let herself drop forward stretched her leg and tripped the man pulling him down with her, the tall grass hiding them from view.
Saitou looked at his woman, "You failed to mention that your father had taught you that little maneuver…"
"What would be the fun in that?" she grinned.
"Good point…" he smirked looking around at the grass surrounding them, "Somewhere private hun?"
"Yes so you can collect your thoughts…"
"Don't you mean get lost in my thoughts?" Saitou smirked as he was now above her and began nipping at her neck. Tokio giggled as she ran her fingers through his hair and kissed below his ear.
"Well you can lose yourself if you want…as long as you take me with you…"
"That can be arranged…" he smiled as he molded his lips to hers.
XxXxX
Tokio smiled as she sat up an hour later and arranged her clothing, brushing off the sleeves of her kimono.(nothing dirty happened…you dirty minded people you…) While Saitou still lay down on the long grass looking to the sky his arms at the back of his head, a blade of grass between his lips staring at the clouds above feeling amazingly content at the moment, "Something troubles you…" Tokio whispered leaning over him her right forearm holding her weight as her left hand combed through his long hair, the fingers from his left hand caressing the skin of her right arm.
"It's nothing…" he drawled.
Tokio sighed, "Why is it men find it so hard to confide with their women it makes it extremely hard for us to talk to you!"
"It does?" he smirked.
"Yes…"
Saitou chuckled as he pulled her down to him, "Very well I'll confide with you…" he whispered as he pulled her forward brushing his lips against hers.
"You better…" she grinned as he kissed her deeply.
Hearing a shout Saitou quickly sat up and looked around, Tokio stayed silent as she listened.
Saitou narrowed his eyes as he spotted at least a large troop of Ishins trudging through the grass heading into the city, grabbing Tokio he pulled her down beneath him and whispered for her to keep quiet, 'This just had to happen today…' Saitou grit his teeth as they listened to the men walking not more then a dozen feet from the couple.
Tokio took a deep breath and wrapped her arms around Saitou's neck pulling him close to her, "I take it those sounds aren't good?" she whispered in his ear.
Saitou quickly shushed her as he listened, hearing nothing but the wind and the rustling of the grass. He took a chance and looked up, seeing the backs of the men as they continued on through the forest. "Come we have to hurry…" he breathed as he pulled her up and ran towards the bridge heading back to headquarters hoping they weren't too late.
"Wait…wait…" Tokio hissed.
Saitou stopped and looked at her. "What?" he growled. Tokio kneeled down and parted her kimono apart a little and took off her wooden sandals, "What the hell are you doing?" Saitou asked watching as she bent down.
"You have any idea how hard it is to run wearing a stupid kimono and these…" she growled picking up the sandals and showing them to the man, "Now I'll be able to keep up, now go…" she ordered.
Saitou intertwined his fingers with hers and began running again towards headquarters.
Several minutes later, the two arrived at headquarters, thankfully they hadn't been spotted rushing in Saitou ran to his room, "Stay in here…" he ordered.
"Where am I?"
"My room…now stay put…" he repeated closing the shoji and running to Kondou's office, Tokio sighed as she brushed her hand across the room starting to familiarize herself with it. Saitou slammed the shoji open looking at the dozen angry faces glaring at him.
"I trust you enter this private meeting with a good excuse Saitou-san?" Kondou drawled.
"Ishins…Over a hundred well armed samurai were spotted not more then fifteen minutes from here, there hiding out in the woods at this very moment…"
Kondou's eyes widened as panicked chatter enveloped the room, "QUIET…" he yelled out evoking silence then turned to his third captain, "Are you certain…"
"Yes sir…"
Kondo thought for a moment, "Call the messengers in here…ready our men…" he ordered Saitou nodded and left the room, barking out orders to every man he met.
The messengers ran out of the building moments later and headed into different directions, to either gather the Shinsengumi troops or to warn their leaders. Unfortunately when they would arrive the battle would have already begun.
A few minutes after the messengers had left the Ishins slowly emerged from the woods and charged through the front gate, Saitou, Okita, Takeda and their troops were the only line of defense at the moment.
Tetsu Takagi was at Kondou's side within the building trying to stay focused hoping his daughter was well out of harm's way.
XxXxX
Tokio was still in Saitou's room, walking around her sandals were still dangling from her fingers as she brushed her fingers on the walls around the room, "Well at least this place isn't a pig sty…" she mused aloud. She held her breath as she suddenly heard shouts coming from outside, placing her hands against the shoji door she closed her eyes and rested her ear against the door, she frowned when she heard the clashing of swords, "Oh this can't be happening again…" she growled. As she stepped back and leaned her back against the other wall opposite the door, as she stared at the door her fingers brushed the handle of her kunai in her left hand.
XxXxX
Saitou grit his teeth as he dodged his opponent's attack and swung his sword killing the man to his left, he now held his katana before him and glanced at the six men that had surrounded him, narrowing his eyes he looked to his left Shinji seemed to be having a hard time with only one man, Okita had to step in and kill the man before he sliced Shinji in half, "Wonderful he's not only a fucken idiot he's also incompetent…" he growled as he lunged forward killing the man in front of him and blocking the one to his right, Okita kneeled and tripped the one to Saitou's left and was now back to back with the wolf.
"Did you have a good evening with Tokio?" Okita asked as he swung his sword missing the man before him by an inch.
"Not now…" Saitou hissed as he severed the head of his opponent only to have another take the dead man's place, turning he kicked the man's legs out from under him forcing him on the ground.
"Where is she by the way?" Okita grunted as he ran his sword through the Ishin's belly.
"My room…" Saitou answered as he palmed his dagger and threw it killing the Ishin behind Takeda saving the fifth captain's life. Turning around Takeda gave a small nod in thanks and resumed attacking their enemy.
"So I take it you two have been busy…" Okita smirked as he eyed his next opponent.
"Shut up Okita…" Saitou growled as he lunged forward and flipped the man he was fighting to land hard on the ground then ran him through.
XxXxX
Tokio hadn't moved from her spot as she stared at the door, hearing the front doors crash open and footsteps scattering everywhere she began taking slow deep breaths, "Don't be an Ishin…don't be an Ishin…" she whispered.
Search the rooms… she heard someone give an order.
"Damnit…" she hissed in a whisper, 'And this day was starting out so well…' she thought to herself. Hearing the shoji door being slammed open she stared at the man who slowly approached the girl.
"Apparently you're having a bad day today…" the man snickered, Tokio tilted her head hearing the man take a breath as he held up his sword preparing to kill her.
The man blinked as he found a pair of sandals flying towards his head, ducking he looked behind him where the sandals landed clattering on the floor, he then felt a sharp pain in his chest. Looking down he found a kunai imbedded in his chest, a small hand still holding onto the blade followed by a dark green sleeve, he then lifted his head to stare at pale honeyed colored eyes, his katana fell to the ground his knees gave out the man then fell to the ground dead.
Tokio released a shaky breath as she walked passed the dead man and leaned against the wall next to the door hiding her from view, her now bloody kunai held tightly in her right hand.
XxXxX
Hearing the front doors being crashed open, all three captains gave the order for a dozen men to fall back, and take care of any Ishins that had entered the building, hearing what sounded like thunder approach Okita grinned as he noticed that Nagakura and Harada had arrived with forty men.
After killing a few more Ishins Saitou watched as the rest retreated or were being chased by Harada and Nagakura's men, Saitou looked around then entered Shinsengumi Headquarters. Seeing his door was opened, Saitou quickly entered his room his sword still unsheathed, "Tokio?"
"Did you know there's a dead Ishin on your floor…" she grinned, "He is an Ishin right?"
Saitou released a small breath, "Yes…Are you alright?"
"Yes…is the battle over?"
"For the moment…come on…" he drawled grabbing her hand and leading her out, his eyes widened a fraction as he stepped back pushing Tokio behind him against the wall, Saitou nearly missed having his throat slit. Lifting his left arm he sliced the man's chest killing him then pulled Tokio to follow him.
After making sure the Ishins were truly gone Kondou called his leaders and captains for a meeting in the dining area, Saitou stood in a corner his arms crossed at his chest hidden by his sleeves, Okita stood beside the third captain a small smile graced his lips, at the woman hiding behind the wolf.
Shinji entered the room in a huff then stepped back a moment he wasn't supposed to be there but he had to see if she was alright, looking around the room trying to spot a certain someone he took a quick breath when he saw Tokio who was well hidden from view from the others in the room behind his captain as he stood in a corner in the back of the room his eyes narrowed a bit when she closed her eyes and rested her head against Saitou's back her hands were on his lower back, "Is my father in the room?" she whispered.
"Yes…he's beside Kondou, and glaring at me probably wants to know if you're alright…"
Tokio smiled, "Always the protective parent…" she chuckled.
After the little meeting was over the men were spread out, the troops were split in half as they patrolled the streets, the ones who stayed at headquarters were to reinforce the gates and to take care of the dead, the wounded were moved into the dojo where they were being cared for at the moment.
Saitou whom still had Tokio by his side went back to his room, to change and get ready since he was to patrol, now donning arm guards his wakizashi and his katana as well as a few hidden daggers, he was met with Takagi looking to his daughter he released a small breath, "I want you back home…I've sent for a carriage…and I don't want to hear an argument."
Tokio sighed a smile gracing her lips, "Yes father…" Saitou couldn't help but chuckle at the look on Tokio's face, "What are you laughing at?"
"Dreading the moment you're to return in your grandmother's company?"
"Eh…you just had to mention that didn't you…"
Takagi chuckled as he took her hand, "Come…your carriage should arrive any moment…"
Takagi watched as the carriage rode off with his daughter within, sighing he turned and went to prepare himself to help with the wounded.
XxXxX
After a few minutes had passed, deep in thought Tokio frowned as she heard a shout the carriage suddenly stopped and the door quickly opened thinking it was the driver Tokio was about to ask what was wrong but found herself being roughly pulled out and thrown to the ground. As she tried to stand she was grabbed from behind and pulled back, fighting back she was slapped and thrown to the ground again, reaching for her kunais she had managed to knick her attacker's arm, blood began to trickle down. she found her attacker's hands roaming her body and pining her to the ground, as she kicked, hit and clawed her wrists were held at her sides and her weapons thrown to the ground, she then found herself being pulled to her feet, still struggling as her attackers tied her wrists behind her back.
She was then hoisted onto a horse and rode away after about an hour's ride she found herself being violently thrown to the ground, Tokio remained still and quiet, she could feel her kimono had been loosened as they had searched her for weapons, she feared that these pigs would violate her soon, but forced that thought out of her mind as she tried to free her wrists.
"I still don't get why she's so important?"
"Who cares our orders are the same as the last take the woman…"
"You two are idiots…she's Takagi's daughter…now shut-up and start a fire…" the leader drawled.
'Wonderful…' Tokio growled, after freeing herself, she listened now knowing that there were four men she sighed, 'Great…' hearing that they weren't paying attention to her, Tokio slowly rolled onto her back keeping her arms behind her, feeling around with her left arm she grabbed a rock with her left hand and dirt with her right then took a deep breath, rolling again she quickly stood and began running, the men noticing the movement stood and ran after her, one quickly caught up as he was about to grab her Tokio turned and threw the dirt in his face then resumed running.
The second man tackled her to the ground Tokio kicked at him and hit him in the head with the rock, pushing him off she was about to stand but the other two pounced on top of her, Tokio kept silent as she felt that her kimono had fallen off her left shoulder, "You know you're a pretty little thing…" the man whispered breathing in her ear as he held her down while his friend tied her ankles together the other two groaned and started yelling at each other.
"You were supposed to watch her you idiot…"
"Oh please how much trouble can a blind woman be…" the one whom Tokio had hit with the rock growled.
"Shut-up both of you…" the one whom was the leader yelled as he held Tokio down pulling her to sit up helping the fourth man tie her arms at her sides, Tokio found herself being hoisted onto someone's shoulder, the leader chuckled as he purposely groped her as he walked back to their camp.
Dropping her to the ground Tokio hissed as she felt pain in her side, she stayed silent and unmoving for at least an hour pretending to have fallen asleep her hand bloody as she had palmed a small cutting knife from one of the men who had tackled her and slowly began to cut the rope around her wrists, hoping she wouldn't have too much of a problem with the ones around her ankles.
After about three hours, Tokio waited until she heard a few snores as she was about to stand and begin running again she felt something part her kimono and someone's hand caressing her legs, as his hands went higher Tokio let out a growl then sat up and stabbed the man in the chest with the knife, he cried out in pain and pushed her down, pulling out the knife he backhanded her and called out to the others who were now waking up.
"What happened?"
"She got loose again…" he growled looking around "Tie her to that boat…" he ordered.
"Tie her to the boat?" one of the men asked in question.
"Yes make holes in it and tie her to it…now…" he growled, "Then board it up…" he smirked.
XxXxX
Meanwhile Saitou and Okita were waiting outside as their men searched an inn. "You seem deep in thought Saitou?"
"The trespasser you spoke of this morning…Tokio said you might know him…"
"I do?" Okita asked a bit surprised.
"Yes apparently you had scared him off when he spoke to her a few days ago."
Okita thought for a moment, "But I was speaking to Shinj…oh he didn't…" Saitou quirked an eye and looked to the first captain. Okita winced at the look on his friend's face, "You're not going to kill him are you?"
Saitou grit his teeth knowing of the man's reputation. "Shinji?" he smirked, "Hn…Kill no…torture yes…"
Okita chuckled softly at the wolf's tone of voice as he eyed the man they spoke of exiting the inn, "That can't be good…"
A few hours had passed by and after raiding three inns which housed and hid several troops of Ishins. Saitou noticed that both his and Okita's squads seemed tired. Saitou's eyes narrowed when he sensed something in the woods and stopped walking, Okita did the same.
Shinji who was extremely tired walked up to his captain, "Not one word…" Saitou whispered.
Not understanding his captain Shinji quirked an eye, "Hun?"
"Quiet…" Saitou seethed not bothering to look at the man. "I smell blood…"
In the blink of an eye Okita seeing a small shadow ran forward and leapt on the shadow his sword drawn. It immediately froze when Okita recognized the man seeing him covered in sweat a hand across his ribs pressing it against a wound, "What happened?" Okita asked helping the man walk out of the woods, and sitting him to the ground.
"Ambush…twelve men surrounded the carriage…they cut me and threw me in a ditch while four took Miss Takagi and headed West…" he coughed.
"How long ago was this?" Saitou asked showing no emotion on his face.
"At least two hours ago…on the main road…carriage is still there…they took the horses…" he winced as he now had a hard time breathing.
"Kuteyi…Yoshu…take him back to headquarters…Jiro take half the troop continue patrolling, the other half come with me…" Saitou ordered, Okita had a small smile as he ordered his men to do the same.
"Do you think ten men are enough?" Shinji asked.
Saitou sighed as he turned to the man. "Unlike you we've fought in battle before I am not in the mood for a debate…keep quiet or return to headquarters…" Saitou drawled as he led the way to a nearby stable.
XxXxX
Spotting the carriage Saitou got off his horse and looked around seeing the indents in the dirt and the flattened grass a few soaked with a little blood, Saitou smirked, 'She fought back…good Kitty…'
He then looked west where the driver had said that they were heading, 'Well now they seemed to be in a hurry?' he sighed as he got on his horse, starring at the trail the horses had made.
The Shinsengumi slowly walked their horses through the woods, it was almost sundown as they silently made their way through the dense forest Saitou stopped as did the others he looked to Okita who began sniffing the air they could smell smoke, Saitou and Okita gestured for the men to tie up the horses and spread out.
As they silently made their way towards the small camp, Saitou's eyes narrowed when he heard a branch snap. He quickly turned to see Shinji behind him with an apologetic look on his face. 'You son of a bi…' he growled as he turned back to the camp to see the men beginning to run. Running out from his spot Saitou went after the men as did the rest of his and Okita's squad.
XxXxX
Suddenly having a bad feeling the leader stood and looked around, his eyes widened when he heard a branch snap, "Shit…" he quickly turned to two of his men, "Put the boat in the water…" he ordered.
"What, are you mad there are holes in it…she'll drown?" the other protested.
"It will give us the time we need to get away now do it…" he growled helping the man lift the boat.
"Oh god…no…" Tokio whispered as she felt the boat drop in the water as well as the frigid liquid beginning to soak through her clothes.
"Hurry up before they get here…" she then heard.
'He's coming for me…' she thought to herself trying to calm down, "GET ME OUT OF HERE…HAJIME…" she screeched, struggling as much as she could to try and free herself again.