Chapter 8 Past gone, now the present

The Shinsengumi ran out of the woods, spotting a few shadows disappearing among the trees, Saitou stopped at the fire and looked around knowing his men would stop those bastards, Shinji walked up to the wolf to apologize for giving away his position but didn't get the chance when they heard curses. Saitou narrowed his eyes as several of his men arrived dragging two Ishins and pushing them to the ground. Saitou walked to the eldest and grabbed him by the arm then slammed him against a tree. "Where's the woman?" Saitou hissed nearly breaking the man's arm getting impatient Saitou twisted the man's arm even more, "WHERE?" he growled. When he still didn't get an answer he unsheathed his sword and killed him, he then turned to the other who seemed no older then seventeen, "I'll only ask once boy…where is she?"

"Beside the dock…in the boat…" he whispered as he trembled in fear, Saitou turned spotting an old shack and the boat on the water he then began walking towards it sheathing his sword the moment he stepped on the dock he noticed that the boat was halfway under water.

"Fuck…" he swore as he ran to the edge and taking off his haori dropping it on the dock he lowered himself on the boat hearing Tokio's panicked cries and seeing the boards nailed shut trapping her on the boat. Saitou swore that when he found those Ishin bastards he would torture then slowly. Spotting the hammer on the dock Saitou grabbed it and began removing the boards, Okita arrived and kneeled at the edge of the dock.

After removing three boards, the boat was nearly completely submerged in the waist deep water. Saitou bent down to pull her up but found that he couldn't, "I'm tied to the boat…" Tokio breathed spitting out the water that had entered her mouth. Okita quickly handed the man a dagger, Shinji stopped and gasped as he stood behind Okita and watched.

"Hold your breath…" Saitou instructed as he began cutting the ropes seeing that she was panicking too much, "HOLD YOUR BREATH…" he repeated.

Tokio took a few deep breaths the moment she took the second one the boat sank down hiding her from view in the water.

"Saitou!" Okita was getting a bit worried.

"Shut-up…" he growled as he had cut the last of the rope and leaned down then pulled her out, Tokio coughed out and was now gasping for breath her arms still tied behind her back, Saitou pulled her to her feet then leaned down shouldering her to be able to climb out on the dock.

Okita grabbed the dropped haori and backed off allowing Saitou to lay Tokio down on the dock, Okita then turned to Shinji, "Start a fire…and get some blankets…" he ordered.

Shinji blinked then quickly turned and headed to the small camp the Ishins had started and threw a few more pieces of wood in it.

"Untie me…untie me…" Tokio whispered still struggling trying to free her arms, Saitou still holding onto the dagger Okita had handed him leaned her forward, cutting her free. The moment her arms were unbound she grasped her wrists and leaned forward in Saitou's embrace. "Well you had me a bit worried there…" she breathed.

"Your hands are like ice…" he growled, picking her up in his arms and carrying her to the shack, Shinji arrived with two blankets and handed them to Okita who dropped them on a small stool beside the door, seeing that Shinji hadn't left yet Okita blocked the two from view by stepping in front of the door. Saitou grabbed one and wrapped the blanket over the freezing Tokio and began stripping her of her kimono, Saitou frowned a bit, "Where are your dagger and kunais?"

"They took them…" she whispered then grinned as she felt her clothes loosening, "Better not catch you smiling…" she smirked holding onto the blanket as her wet clothes fell to the ground, Saitou chuckled softly as he lowered the blanket around her shoulders making sure that nothing was showing he then grabbed his haori and wrapped it around her pulling his haori closed.

"Get your arms in the sleeves…" he smirked after seeing her do so he tugged on the blanket and tied the coat around her waist, rubbing his hands on her arms and back to try and help her get warmer faster Saitou then grabbed the other blanket wrapping it around the woman and picked up her soaked clothes he handed them to Okita who was standing by the door his back turned.

"Hang these to dry…" he spoke as he quickly led Tokio to the fire.

Since the rest of the men were still searching the woods for the other two Ishins that had escaped. And two of his men were busy tying up the seventeen year old prisoner to a tree. Okita chuckled, knowing that the two lovebirds might want a small moment alone seeing that Shinji was just standing there he called for the lad, "Shinji…gather some more wood for the fire…" he ordered, Shinji sighed as he turned and left the camp. Okita chuckled softly, as he eyed a few of his men who had stayed behind, "Gather the horses…" he ordered and watched them walk back towards the path, "And I'll hang these…" he told himself looking at the wet clothes he still held in his arms.

Sitting Tokio down Saitou kneeled down beside her, "Did they hurt you?" he whispered draping the blanket over her legs and lifted her hands to look at the wounds on her wrists he lightly ran his thumbs on the bruises.

Tokio sighed a small smile on her lips as she heard the little growl come from his throat, "Again with being protective…hmmm I fear I've turned you soft captain…" she whispered as she leaned her head forward still shivering a bit.

Saitou chuckled, "Not likely…You still haven't answered my question…"

"I got slapped a few times and thrown to the ground but other then that no…" she whispered in turn, then started laughing softly, "Apparently they didn't like me very much since I kept escaping..."

"Hn is that why they tied you up to that boat?"

"Obviously…" she grinned and closed her eyes as she looked to the fire relishing the heat it gave off.

"It would seem you've had a hard day Kitty…" he smirked then leaned forward looking at the wounds around her neck, "You should get some sleep…" he breathed in her ear making her shiver.

"You'll stay nearby?" She whispered, her hand on his cheek.

"Yes…" he whispered watching as Tokio leaned forward and brushed her lips lightly against his own, Saitou caressed her left cheek and gently pushed her to lie down beside him.

Tokio had quickly fallen asleep a few moments later, The men sat around the fire talking quietly amongst themselves, Shinji stared at his captain, Okita sat beside Saitou, "What do you suggest we do with our young prisoner…we could take him back for questioning…" the young captain suggested.

"He's too young…if he's too quick to give out information and nearly pisses himself at the sound of a little yelling he doesn't know anything…" he sighed leaning back holding himself up with his left arm, glancing at the woman sleeping beside him, then at Shinji who quickly looked away. "Wake me in two hours…" he instructed Okita as he lied down making himself comfortable. Okita couldn't help having a grin on his lips as he took a deep breath and looked up at the moon.

XxXxX

The next day, Tokio was led back to the shack to change her clothes Okita stood guard while Saitou saddled his horse and looked at Shinji who seemed awfully nervous at the moment, "Can you tell me why is it, you trespassed on Takagi's home…Shinsengumi soldier or not if he had been there he would have killed you…"

Shinji's eyes widened as he slowly turned facing his captain, "I-I didn't know it was Takagi's home..." he answered standing up straight and clearing his throat.

"So you trespass on other people's home often?" Saitou asked narrowing his eyes.

Hiding a smirk as he could sense the fear radiate off the young soldier.

Shinji grunted, "What…no…"

Saitou leaned against his horse and took out a cigarette casually lighting it. "Then what were you doing?" he asked exhaling the smoke his thumb brushing against the hilt of his katana, looking at the blush forming on the man's cheeks.

"It's kind of stupid really…" Shinji answered with a small chuckle, feeling a bit embarrassed as he looked at his feet.

"Humor me…" Saitou answered staring at the man.

Figuring that his captain would not let up Shinji looked around to make sure they were alone, "Well…I heard singing and I was curious…" he answered.

'You have got to be kidding me…' he sighed rolling his eyes. "So you climbed the fence and destroyed their property, don't tell me you figured she'd be impressed by your destructive behavior…"

"Eh…No…it was an accident I slipped and fell through…" he mumbled.

Wanting this conversation to end, Saitou drawled, "Tell me what are your intentions towards her…if you have any?"

"What?"

"Are you interested in her?" Saitou asked giving the man an unimpressed look, he so hated repeating or explaining himself.

"Well yeah I mean she's beautiful, witty and that smile…" he grinned getting lost for a moment, realizing who he was talking to Shinji cleared his throat again and scratched the back of his head, "Well uh…I eh heard that you were courting her is that…true?"

"It is…" Saitou answered finishing his cigarette and turning to his horse to adjust the straps, then took hold of the reins.

"I take it that you are not going to stop seeing her then?"

"No…"

"Oh well then I suppose I shouldn't get my hopes up…right, or try to persuade her to leave you for me right?" he gave a small chuckle.

Saitou narrowed his eyes, "Obviously…"

"Well then I should probably leave her in your care then and stop worrying…right?" He asked nervously taking a step back and patting his horse's neck.

"That you should…" Saitou sighed, when the hell was this idiot going to take the hint and stop talking.

Shinji stood up straight and bowed his head a bit, "Then I'll stop making advances on her…sir…"

"Good because if you ever lay a hand on her…I'll kill you…" Saitou smirked at the fear in the man's eyes especially when he heard him gasp Shinji had never seen the wolf fight in battle before and so didn't know what he was fully capable of Saitou silently led his horse back into camp.

Tokio now donning her dry green kimono with Saitou's haori draped around her shoulders, was being led to the third captain by Okita who chuckled as he told her that Shinji was the one whom had confronted her at her home and that Saitou had just finished having a talk with the man. "Is he bleeding from the jugular?" she asked with a small smile.

"Not yet…I think Saitou just gave him a warning." He chuckled "I should perhaps warn Shinji to not piss off Saitou too much especially after drinking a bit of sake…"

"Sake…what Hajime can't hold his drink?" Tokio quirked an eye.

"No that's not it, after battle he would usually drink and he would tend to get a bit violent and well killed whatever was around…" Okita quickly cleared his throat.

"Really?"

"Well yeah but he's cut down lately I haven't seen him drink in a while…perhaps he's found something more sweet as a substitute…" he chuckled.

"Okita please if you're trying to make me blush…it's not going to work, even with those sweet little words…" Tokio giggled.

Okita chuckled and spoke a little more loudly, "Well here is your lady Saitou-san…the men should be ready to leave momentarily…" the first captain announced with a grin.

Saitou looked at him and sighed, "Would it be possible for you to wipe that annoying smirk off your face for a day?"

Okita thought for a moment, "It might be possible…but I don't want to find out today…" he smirked as he left the two to hurry up the men.

Saitou looked Tokio over carefully and smirked, grasping her hand he guided it to the horse's neck, "Here…my horse is restless…see if you can calm him…" he whispered with a small chuckle.

"Hmmm he's probably picking up on your killing sense…" she smirked "Either that or he's jealous…you better watch yourself he might give you a swift kick if you're not careful…" she grinned.

"Hn…highly doubtful…" he snorted as he lifted his eyes seeing the men were ready and waiting, Saitou swiftly mounted his horse and held out his hand to pull up Tokio, settling her in front of him Saitou pulled on the reins to turn his horse, Tokio had a small smile on her lips as she felt his arm wrap around her waist holding her to his chest, and followed Okita as they led the troop back to headquarters.

Saitou sniffed the air, it would be winter soon and they would probably be sent to battle, "Deep in thought?" he heard someone whisper.

"What?" Saitou looked down.

"Your deep in thought…that has to be very rare." Tokio quipped in a whisper, "Which means you're worried about something, and don't say it's nothing…"

"And how would you know that we've only been courting for…" Saitou thought for a moment, "…not even a month…"

Tokio giggled, "I know because you dear captain are extremely easy to read…"

"Really…" Saitou snorted.

"That's funny since miss Tokio would be the first to be able too…" Okita chuckled since he was walking his horse next to Saitou's obviously he had heard the little conversation.

Saitou glared at the first captain then looked back to Tokio as she had mumbled something, "What did you say?" he asked.

Tokio looked up and smiled, "Will you be able to defeat Shishio?"

Saitou frowned, "Shishio?"

XxXxX

Saitou's eyes snapped open as he suddenly jolted awake hearing a small whimper. Narrowing his eyes he looked around, he was lying in bed on his futon his left arm wrapped around his wife possessively in sleep. "Why do I keep dreaming of the past…" he mumbled hearing the sound again, 'And why was it mixed up with the present?' he asked himself then slowly got out of bed so as not to disturb his sleeping wife and went to investigate stretching his back and arms, opening a shoji door that led to his children's room, Saitou smirked his little girl was fussing in sleep.

Walking into the room Saitou gently picked her up in his arms careful not to wake his four year old son sleeping next to her, and walked around the house with his two year old daughter rocking her gently, after a few minutes she calmed down and fell in a dreamless slumber, Saitou chuckled softly as he kissed the top of her head and laid her back down in her futon covering her up with the blanket he then returned to his room.

"Everything alright?" Tokio asked drowsily trying to find a comfortable spot being nine months pregnant she had found that she could never get comfortable in bed.

"Teiya just wanted to be held…" he whispered settling back down by her side, "Speaking of which…" he grumbled and pulled his wife to him nuzzling her neck.

Tokio laughed softly, "Ah is my wolf having bad dreams as well?" she whispered turning to lie on her back and ran the fingers of her right hand across his chest.

"Constantly…would you be so kind as to chase them away?" he smirked kissing below her neck making her laugh.

"What did you dream about?" she asked curiously.

"My irritating little wife, who else would I be dreaming about, you constantly haunt my dreams you know that…" he smirked wickedly.

"What exactly was I doing?"

"That day you nearly drowned…" he sighed.

Tokio thought for a moment a wicked grin graced her lips, "Oh yes I remember that day well…"

"Yes you-nearly-drowned…" Saitou repeated.

"And you confronted that Shinji boy…" she laughed softly.

"Ech don't remind me…" he grumbled.

"As I recall didn't he save your life a few years later?" she quipped.

"He did not…" Saitou argued, "I knew that samurai was behind me that moron just tripped and pushed me forward…idiot…" Saitou mumbled and rested his head on top of her left shoulder.

"Still angered that he didn't get one scratch during the war?" She chuckled.

"The only way he survived is on sheer dumb luck…" Saitou breathed in her ear.

Tokio laughed softly then sighed, "How long will you be gone?" she whispered, when Saitou didn't answer immediately she turned her head to him, "Hajime…"

"What?" he mumbled.

"How long will you be gone?"

"I'm trying to sleep woman…" Saitou tried to change the subject.

"It's just one question Hajime…"

"Which will lead to another after I've answered it…" he smirked. Tokio was beginning to lose patience since she was so tired at the moment, she frowned and pinched the man, "Ow…"

"Answer me…" she growled.

"A few weeks at the most…" he chuckled rubbing his chest, "She's turning vicious tonight…" he smirked and kissed her cheek.

"You better believe I'm vicious…haven't slept in three days…" she whined taking a deep breath and turning to lie on her left side.

Saitou kissed her forehead and laid his left hand on her stomach, "Is Hatsu arriving in the morning?" he asked.

"Mhmmm…She said she could stay for three weeks…although it will be less if she drives me crazy." She yawned.

"Hn getting those killing urges again Kitty?"

"How did you guess?" she mumbled, Saitou smirked as he felt her breathing begin to slow, closing his eyes he followed his wife in sleep.

The next morning Saitou had a smirk on his lips as Teiya and Tsutomu ran around the yard, he was sitting on the engawa watching them play Tokio wobbled her way to him counting her steps then sat down beside him, "Thought you were leaving before morning…"

"You dear wife are supposed to stay in bed…"

"I will I just came to see you off so to speak…" she smirked.

"Hn…I've decided to wait until after Hatsue arrives…if you hadn't noticed lately you've become a bit clumsy…" he teased.

Tokio quirked an eye and kissed his cheek then pinched his arm, "Watch it husband…" she smirked.

"Yes dear…" he chuckled leaning his head next to hers inhaling her cherry blossomed scent.

Half an hour later after hugging his children kissing his wife and glaring at Hatsue, Saitou Hajime left for Tokyo, he had to face the Battousai to see if he could be useful for his next mission in stopping one Makoto Shishio.

XxXxX

Tokyo

A few days later he was walking down the street, donning a dark blue coat and a pair of white hakama, Saitou sighed as he looked at the gate before him, 'This should be interesting…' he thought to himself as he adjusted his cap and backpack making sure his hidden sword was secured at his back, entering through the gate Saitou spotted what seemed a rooster haired man, placing a fake smile on his lips Saitou approached. "My name is Goro Fujita…please to meet you…" he smirked as he began babbling about medicines to the rooster head, finding out that who he was looking for wasn't there Saitou sighed inwardly.

"You have some narrow eyes…you know that?" Sano frowned. 'Who is this guy?'

'O-kay…' Saitou chuckled, "Well I'm afraid I can't help the way I was born sir…" 'Is this idiot for real?' he mused to himself, then frowned when the moron grabbed the wolf's hand inquiring about the calluses the wolf had…big mistake, 'So he knows about swords…hn.' "Well you're very perceptive aren't you…I'm impressed Sanosuke Sagara." Saitou smirked getting rid of his little fake smile. "Well since the Battousai isn't home today I suppose I should leave him a small gift…" he smirked taking out his blade.

After beating Sanosuke Sagara senseless, Saitou smirked "These idiots today think they know everything…I'm tough I can beat you up…hmph moron…" he sighed as he looked at his broken sword, 'Cheap piece of crap…stupid sword can't even handle a Gatotsu…' he thought, he then looked at the damage he caused the dojo, "Well I suppose I put my point across…" he chuckled dropping the ruined sword to the floor, "…time to leave and let the Battousai ponder for a little while…" he smirked as he left behind his medicine chest with the symbol from old times etched on the back. "You have two choices…return to your former self or death…hn wonder which you'll choose?" he smirked wickedly, "I suppose we'll see tomorrow…" he sighed.