The scent of cherry blossoms blew into the room on the gentle breeze. The smell giving the room the same aroma as he had always associated with the young child prone in the middle of the floor. The dark spectre that spawned this wicked sword-mistress, never even blinked as the hours grew young and the sun began to beam through the thin paper slide windows, illuminating the slumbering girl.

She was a girl, never a woman.

Not to him.

To him, she was a child.

A blossom child.

And as the scent of the elating flower tickled at his nostrils, Saito inhaled deeply and allowed the smallest of smiles to tug at his lips. Yes, blossoms always had the effect of making his mind wander to Shishi, throughout her life. It seemed, that even the vibrant plant seemed to take an interest in her welfare, always apart of her life.

Like the first time he met her mother…

Flash back.

Quiet, perfectly quiet.

A sickening cry of bitter anguish didn't even cause his mouth to twist in shame. He could have been a statue, for all his stillness.

His readiness.

Another cry, and a thud of a comrade didn't even falter his motives, his mission.

It would take a lot more than a few rash 'under dogs' getting caught for being idiotic in their brashness, for the Mibu wolf to be deterred.

He would wait, he would buy his time, and then strike at the right moment.

It didn't matter that it was night.

It didn't matter that his visibility was more than halved by the falling blossom leaves in the night breeze, inches before his nose.

In fact, it was to his advantage, camouflaging his whereabouts in the foliage and making his silent footsteps even softer to the ear.

He was a wolf.

He didn't need his eyes to see.

Just his ears and his nose for blood.

The moon was high, as halved as his vision but as present as his focus. His long hair swayed with the breeze, high on his head in a ponytail, his precious uniform not even rustling at the will of it's wearer. Midnight blue Hakame, a light, large white Gi with the jagged blue design that resembled the wild fur of a wolf.

"That seems to be the last of them."

"Good. Scout the area with your men; we shall depart for the safe house when you return." Ah, I know that voice.

Saito Hajime smirked at last, the first show of emotion all day, and he lowered to the ground.

Effortlessly, he drew his katana and brought it along his other arm, in his Gatotsu stance. First stance, Ichiki. He licked his lips, already tasting the blood there. Aku Soku Zan, Daiymo.

It was his mission, to locate and execute the Daiymo, Takagi Kojuro, for his crimes against the Shinsengumi Shogunate. Collaborating with the enemy, the imperialist rebels, and supposed funding for their weapons.

He was guilty, and it was Saito's job to be the executioner.

Which he took great honour, and pleasure in.

There were 10 men, maximum, and all of them had foolishly fanned out into the area, away from the road and the precious carriage of the Daiymo, and no where near him.

This is my chance.

Saito, lowered his Ichiki stance, and then, as silent as the falling blossom petals heavily swirling everywhere, blanketing the earth, he charged.

Without even being seen or detected in the slightest, Saito had used his amazing skill of his sword form, to sprint soundlessly to the carriage, pull the door open without a creak, slip inside and slice the very tip of his blade straight through the Adam's apple of the Daiymo, and straight into the cushioning behind him.

His eyes hadn't even had the chance to fill with horror, as his head slid to one side.

It is done, Aku Soku Zan. Saito smirked, and slowly withdrew his blade. No witnesses, strictly in the shadows.

That was, until he heard a whimpered gasp to his left.

There, sat with her knees clamped together in her regal cream Kimono, long smooth, tamed jet black hair, like long silky curtains from the centre of her forehead, to her breasts, delicate pale hands cupped over her trembling lips, and big brown eyes widened in fear…

…was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Even Saito, for the first time in his life, was stunned, wholly and completely.

Her skin was soft and pale. She had obviously been followed with an umbrella all her life, to shelter her fair skin from the sun, and her hair combed for her with its precision and obedient style. Even in her terror, she looked like an angel.

A frightened little angel, so vulnerable…

…and thanks to him, so alone…

This woman, had just watched him kill her father. He knew it was her father, from the Takagi crest on the front of her Obi.

Wait, why doesn't she scream? She has just witnessed the assassination of the Daiymo, her father. Why doesn't she scream?

He then looked to her quivering hands, which seemed to be crushing her mouth. Was she…forcing herself not to scream? Why?

Maybe she is smart and knows I will kill her if she does.

Saito then closed the carriage door, looked out the window, and then drew both sets of curtains.

The young woman shook with fright, trapped inside her 'safe' carriage with the corpse of her father, and his killer.

"Name?" Saito whispered. She didn't answer, and he wasn't going to ask again. She realised this, when one thin brow rose to punctuate his short temper and little patients.

"T T T." she simply stuttered behind her hands, unable to speak coherently.

"T?" He didn't sheath his blade. He wasn't in a safe place to sheath it again, not until he was out of the thick of battle. There were still ten men out there who would love to claim the Mibu wolf's head as a prize, even if he hadn't killed their master. He was that well known for his skill.

"T…T…"

"Daiymo Takagi Sama, the perimeter is clear. Shall we continue to Kyoto?"

When the Daiymo didn't answer, the man tried again. "Takagi Sama?"

"My father is resting." Saito eyed her with intrigue. What was she up to? Saito had just planned out his escape and execution of all the men, when she had piped up at last.

Her voice was as soft and gentle as the silk of her kimono. She was not a sure woman. Nor a headstrong one, he could tell. Gentle, like a feather against his cheek. "We will ride to the city now. Everything is fine." Even her words were uncertain.

But they bought it.

"Yes Honourable Daughter." Came the reply, and amazingly, the carriage pulled away and headed on to Kyoto.

Saito by this point, was very amused. It seemed, he was getting a free lift to Kyoto.

"Honourable Daughter?" Saito snickered quietly. "Don't you have a name girl?" he loved it when she bristled from the insult, but she blushed and looked to her lap.

"…Tokio…"

"Tokio Takagi?" she meekly nodded, her chestnut eyes glazing with tears. Her shoulders shook, and her hands fisted at her kimono over her knees.

But she made no sound.

Saito shoved the ex Daiymo's shoulder and pushed him to one side, taking the man's seat opposite Tokio. "Do you live in Kyoto?" Saito caught her eyes lingering every few seconds on his blood glossy blade.

"Yes…" she whispered, tears slowly leaking down her cheeks.

"Where?" despite herself, Tokio then snapped her head up in shock, looking directly into his feral Amber eyes. They locked there, and Saito suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

A pleasant one.

It seemed, he held her eyes, even though looking at him was obviously distressing her.

"…in the Takagi estate…near the old shrine and Koi garden…" Well, that was a surprise. He didn't think she would be that forthcoming with her address, seeming he had just killed her father right in front of her eyes.

"Hmmm…I will have to look out for it." He suppressed a cruel chuckle when she visibly flinched. "And…how many live there?"

"The servants, my mother, my f…" she licked her lips together, salty from her own tears and wished she could just escape those deep Amber eyes.

"Only you and your mother now? Pity. If your father hadn't been a traitorous bastard then perhaps he could have supported you better." She palled even more, and he couldn't stop a snigger escape his mirth curved lips. "You will no doubt be unable to stay in that comfy little estate of yours, no servants, no luxuries. Hard work, that is what awaits you now."

"I…I…" she was back to stuttering again.

"Will have to get a job. What are you good at, my dear?" The lecherous smirk on his face, and hungry glint in his eyes said it all. "Entertaining, perhaps? Did daddy teach you to 'preoccupy' those imperialist scum for him while he gave them the means to kill and rebel against the government? Hmm?"

Tokio trembled, bringing her feet firmly together with a look of utter horror on her face at his insinuation.

"I never-"

"Never? Not even once?" She gulped, pressing her back against the seat as Saito placed his free elbow on one knee, the end of his blade resting on the other. Blood smeared into his Shinsengumi white and blue Gi, his dark blue Hakame as of yet spotless. "Does that mean that poor little Tokio Takagi is still untouched?" From the soft gasp from her lips, he knew it was true. "Well, your father couldn't preserve his morals and loyalty, at least he was able to preserve your virginity instead." Saito then chuckled darkly. "But how long will that last, once you and your mother are no longer supported by his corrupted allowance? If you are good at nothing, you at least have one use." He licked his lips, and drank her appearance in shamelessly, before smirking at her even more. "I'd pay you."

This time she gasped loudly, and gripped at the sides of her seat, before shoving herself as far back into the carriage corner wall as she could.

That was about as far away from him as she could get.

Saito laughed softly, still aware they were surrounded by ten men outside, before catching her eyes look at his sword again.

He had just insinuated her only use to be as a whore, that he would pay her as a whore, and all she could do is cower…from his sword? "Stop that." He spat. For some reason, the thought of her being afraid of him hurting her burned his frozen veins.

"Gomen nasai." She whimpered breathlessly, fear etched across her heavenly face.

It didn't look right.

"I'm not going to kill you. Your father was the target, not you. You will live."

"To be a whore…?"

Well, that shut him up. The look of utter foreboding horror and distress, mirrored with sadness and fear danced in her chestnut eyes and she tucked her silky black hair behind her ears distractedly. "I…don't want…to be whore…"

"Then get a job." Saito looked away from her.

It was then, he wanted to laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation.

He had just killed a man, gotten trapped inside the carriage with his daughter, who had covered for him, made heavy comments of innuendos at her, and now wanted nothing more than to take them back.

Like hell he would.

In fact, the thought of having that perfect little porcelain doll writhing in passion beneath him was very appealing, making his cold blood run hot under the collar.

"They…when we arrive…they will open the doors." Saito looked to her again, and again raised a brow at her.

"Then I will kill them." Her eyes widened, and she looked away from him.

"But…they don't deserve to." She stopped at seeing his expression bored and unnerving, his eyes closed. He really didn't care, did he?

"There is no other way."

"Yes there…" Saito opened his eyes on her, a silent way of demanding her to continue. "…you could…"

"Could? My dear, you seem to have difficulties finishing sentences. Are you backward?"

"Backward enough to help you." She then covered her mouth in horror at her own words, and started bowing her head to him furiously. "Gomen nasai, please forgive me, I-"

"Why did you help me?" She grew silent, and still. Her dark hair hung forward and fanned her face, hiding her eyes from view. "I just killed your father in cold blood, right in front of you. Why didn't you try to alert the guards, or risk being killed yourself by staying in here with me? You are a witness, after all."

"I…" she then took a deep breath, raised her face for him to see, but kept her eyes closed timidly. "I have my reasons, sir.

"Saito Hajime." Her chestnut eyes snapped open immediately, sending ripples of something strange through his chest and through the rest of his limbs.

"…Saito…" she then shook her head. "Hajime san." Tokio bowed her head, as if they had just been introduced. "I…I loved my father…but…"

"But?"

"I do not love my cousin." She gulped, and cupped her shaking hands together on her lap. "My father, before you arrived, he just." Saito watched as she fought with her own fright to finish. "I am to be married to my rich cousin. Was…" Her hands clenched tighter, and he noted this. It was the only sign of frustration or anger he had seen yet. Even after seeing her father murdered before him. "Kano Taka. He is a rich business man, my cousin; trades with other lands. He requested my hand, and paid for me like…like…"

"Like a whore?" Saito smirked. "And Daddy dearest was fine with this, wasn't he?" he cackled. "And now, I have saved you." When a sudden thought came to mind, he grinned at her darkly. "Does that make me your hero, Tokio-chan?" He didn't miss the immediate blush rush to her pale cheeks, before she shook her head madly for a moment.

What a dainty little mouse she was.

A very voluptuous mouse…

"I, I will help you. If, if you promise that my mother will be safe." Alarm bells went off inside his head at this. "I will help you and do anything you say!" she became far more animated than ever before, waving her hands at him, begging. She slid off the seat and knelt at his feet.

He liked this image…

She placed her hands on his knees and her eyes spilt over the brim with tears. "Father used to beat mother, because she begged him to stop bringing imperialists to the house. Before father married into the family, the Takagi clan have been loyal Shinsengumi followers since before my grandparents were born. She doesn't deserve to suffer for my father's mistakes! Please, please Hajime-san, let Lord Shinsengumi know she had nothing to do with this, and allow her to have father's allowance. Not for me, I will get a job, like you say Hajime-san. I will be alright, as long as my mother-"

Saito thought the air had been drawn from her lungs, from the way her neck pulsed with her erratic heart beat beneath his right hand. His left had a tight fist of the front of her Kimono, having just yanked her to kneel up on her knees before him. His mouth had long since crashed against hers.

She tasted of sweet lemon tea, and her hair of scented spices, as free tendrils licked at his face.

He felt her fingers curl into fists on his Hakame knees, and smirked against her when her chestnut eyes closed, and her head tilted to one side. He smoothed his hand up her neck, until his thumb curved over her petite chin. He applied enough pressure, to force her jaw down and successfully opening her virgin mouth. She gasped softly, delightfully to his ears, and he plunged his tongue inside, sliding his tongue like velvet over hers, drinking her in deeply. Of all the women Saito had tasted, she was by far the most inexperienced with her unsure responses and timidly probing tongue…and that excited him. Tokio leaned up into him even more, her hands involuntary running down his legs.

Well, it seemed the little mouse wasn't as timid as she appeared.

It seemed like an eternity before he slowly retreated, feeling a great hunger for more than what this little mouse knew she was capable of giving.

He would soon teach her.

"If you can get me out of here, without killing, I will ensure your mother is cared for…and I will come for you later."

Tokio's lips were slightly swollen from the Wolf's savage kiss, his light stubble haven bristled against her jaw pleasantly. Her hair had fallen out from behind her ears, giving her a passion touched look. "Can you, Tokio-chan?"

At the intimate honorific, she blushed even more and nodded her head once. Saito smirked when she didn't move, and didn't look away from his amber eyes.

It seemed she was thoroughly embarrassed about something, biting her lip and looking at him sheepishly.

"…can you…"

"Hmm?" Saito lifted her chin with two fingers, smirking at her bashfulness. He was certainly going to enjoy what ever she was going to suggest, from her nervousness.

"…take off your clothes?" Saito blinked, before chuckling darkly.

"My dear, that comes later." Her eyes widened, and she shook her head away from his fingers.

"I, I, I, I meant take them off, and put…" she slowly looked to the slummed body of her father. "…those on."

Saito smirked again. It seemed, he was going to take great pleasure in getting involved with this woman. Always surprising him with her cunning naivety.

"If you undress me."

She seemed to be waiting to make sure she had heard him correctly, making him chuckle. "I'm waiting." Saito eased her back to her seat, and knelt down in her place.

Very timidly, very slowly, Tokio wrapped her trembling fingers around his white belt and tugged at it, until his Gi fell open at the top. He caught her blush, looking at his bare, toned chest, before pushing his collar back, and easing the Gi off his shoulders. He took his arms out, and slid his sheath from his side. Her eyes followed the weapon briefly, before looking to his eyes.

He nodded, giving her permission as she began to un-tuck his Gi sides from his Hakame trousers. Her fingertips brushed against his ribs slightly, making Saito look away lest he jump the delicate lady.

Not that he didn't intend to jump her…just not yet.

No one teases the Mibu Wolf's senses, and gets away with it. Whether she did it intentionally, or not.

He returned his attention to her, when his Blue and white Gi fell to the floor sluggishly behind him. Tokio looked to his angular face again, her cheeks flustered and red. With one hungry smirk, Tokio nervously gripped the sides of his Hakame and lowered them down. Saito had to chuckle when she closed her eyes, when he was left in nothing but his loin cloth.

Unable to resist, Saito grabbed her wrists roughly and yanked her flush against him and between his muscular thighs, laying back against the seat. He placed her hands on his chest, and held her hip with one hand, the other burying itself in her long black tresses. "What's the matter Tokio-chan, I thought you only wanted me to take my clothes off, so you could disguise me as your father? Or was that just a ploy, to get close to his killer." He hissed huskily against her ear, moulding her body closer to his and getting off on her frightened trembles. "Do you like this? The thrill of being so close to someone who could kill you, without a second thought? So close to danger, to a rabid wolf? Do you like this?" he liked the shell of her ear, grabbing her ass with one hand, to drag her further up. "Do, you, like-" he freed his hand from her hair, slide it down the front of her Kimono and cupping one of her breasts. "-this?" She gasped loudly, but not from fear this time. Saito licked the arch of her neck, nipping at the moist skin.

"Yes!" She moaned, gripping at his shoulders, her body shaking, wracked with sinful pleasure. So unused to this feeling of forbidden bliss, she didn't even register when Saito cupped the back of her knees under her Kimono skirt, and brought them up to straddle his waist.

The steady movement of the carriage, guarded by ten men, from the outside appeared undisturbed and silent.

However, inside…

Tokio was panting as Saito nipped at her neck, enough to hurt, but not enough to mark her. Not yet. Not yet.

This was a successful distraction as Saito ragged the red regal robes off their owner, glad his sword technique was so precise, no blood flowed over the red silken material.

He almost lost his resolve when her shy petal lips placed butterfly kisses over his Adam's apple, going lower every second. When she traced down the centre of his chest, and reached his abs, he had to grab the back of her head and ease her back up before he threw her over and pounded her into the carriage floor cruelly. Her kisses may have been innocent, but the result wouldn't have been, if it went any further.

Saito dragged his tongue over her mouth hungrily, kissing her deeply once, before pushing the robes between them.

"Quickly, prepare yourself." Tokio faltered, dazed with ardour, before composing herself enough to sit back on her chair, and a thoroughly embarrassed look on her face. She smoothed out her Kimono, fixing herself up as much as she could, and (petting his ego) snatching shameful glances at him as he got dressed.

Saito bit the end of his tongue to clam his raging desires as he tightly tied the belt, only for Tokio to tug at it.

"F Father never has his robe like that." She gulped, opening the Gi, and pushing his Shinsengumi Gi inside it in a clump. "And he isn't as…physically able as you are." She blushed, once again catching glimpses at his built chest, as she fixed his robe for him. She then pulled out her father's large Kasa for him. Next, she swiftly reached behind him and pulled the hair tie out of his hair, until it fell to his shoulders. "Good, the same length." She muttered, before placing the Kasa in place. His face was hidden now, and Tokio sat back in her seat. Saito did the same, folding his arms with an arrogant smirk on his face.

"So, Tokio Takagi. Am I to be your guest tonight?"

"If it pleases you, Daiymo-sama." She shifted her eyes away from him, obviously uncomfortable with what he had done, who he looked like…and what they had just done.

"I assure you, it does."

End Flash back

Saito chuckled to himself, opening his amber eyes and looking at Shishi, still sprawled out in her stupor on the futon, still in her uniform (who would dare change her clothes for her, and face her wrath the next day?), and smiled.

That night he had stayed at the estate, her mother giving him full range of the estate as thanks for her freedom, and out of loyalty to the Shinsengumi.

And that night, he had not stayed in the old Daiymo's room, or in a guest room.

He had spent it, with Tokio.

It made a proud smirk curve at his lips, as he remembered his first night of passion with his wife. Such a tender creature, obedient, timid, and yet, she had that hidden dark side that he took great pleasure in drawing out of her. The best nights of love making came when her darker side turned its head, driving much more passion into the act.

But after their first night, Saito had left. With no intention of marrying her, or ever even seeing her again. He made his request, and got back to work.

Why see her again? She had caught his eye, tease his senses, and he had had his way with her. Case closed.

And yet…for 6 months he worked hard, completing missions for the Shogunate, until he was appointed as the Captain of the 3rd troop. And under his regime, they soon became the most deadly, efficient Shinsengumi troop in all of Japan.

6 months of tortured dreams, her timid hands and big brown eyes, and he had returned to the Takagi estate, to find Lady Takagi there…but not her daughter.

Saito had searched all over Kyoto for a glimpse of his dainty mouse. It appeared that her mother had no intention of caring for her, comfortable with her own widow's Takagi allowance, which she only got because Saito had requested it.

After all he had done in this revolution for the Shogunate, it was the least they could do to grant it.

He found her, eventually, disowned by her mother…

And with one look, he saw why.

It was spring again, just like the first time they had met, and again, it was on the same road as before. As the assassination of the old Daiymo. By this time, Saito was now the captain of the 3rd Shinsengumi troop.

Flash back.

Blossom petals danced in the wind, swirling elegantly through all the large trees, blossom trees. Only two figures stood in this heavenly forest of paradise. Both stood in absolute silence, looking directly at the other.

Saito hadn't changed, other than his white head band with his rank on it, his white and blue Shinsengumi uniform Gi and Hakame identical, as was his amber eyes and katana on his left hip.

But Tokio…my how she had changed.

She wore a plain, common brown kimono, a weathered, but presentable brown Obi, and tattered sandals. Her long black hair was braided behind her loosely, looking far more wild and unkempt than before, her chestnut eyes tired and shocked at his presence. But what had changed most of all…

…was the large swell of her stomach. Her hands subconsciously went their, following his gaze there, and gulped to moisten her dry mouth.

Saito looked like he always had, blank, uncaring.

But inside?

Inside he was furious.

Inside he was envious.

Inside…he was distraught.

How could someone else have gotten to her first? Who was he? What was he like? Did he love her? Did she love him? Or did she take his initial advice, and get a 'job' better suited to her 'attributes'? Only to get pregnant in the process?

Tokio even wobbled, as she reached out to each tree for support as she walked over to him.

Well, at least he knew why her mother had thrown her out of the estate. There was no marriage band on her finger, no husband nearby to assist his far along wife and ensure her safety. She was alone…like when he first met her.

With the blossoms as their medium.

"…Hajime-san…" He raised a brow at her, and this seemed to be just what she was waiting for, as her chestnut eyes brightened immediately, hurrying her efforts to get to him. Just before she could touch him, he stepped back, glaring at her stomach.

"Takagi-dono."

"I knew you'd come back. You said you would, remember?" Her soft voice and shy blush almost unarmed him.

Almost.

"Did I? I can't remember. I was only passing by…" Saito turned to leave, feeling suddenly empty and livid at himself, and the poor bastard who impregnated her, without the decency to marry her, when he felt her place a hand on his back. he halted immediately.

"Hajime-san…Saito…" Saito looked over his shoulder at her. She seemed to be both pleased to see him, and begging him to stay at the same time.

There was such sadness, and relief in those eyes. "Please…please don't leave yet."

"I must. I have recently been promoted to a very high rank, and prestigious position in the Shinsengumi. I have other duties and responsibilities." Saito was cold, ice cold, shrugging her off and began walking away.

"Can't you at least wait a few months? Please?" at this he quirked a brow, and turned to face her. What the hell?

"Why should I wait for a couple of months? What will happen?" Tokio blinked at him, looked down at her stomach as she cradled it, and then giggled.

He loved that sound, it lulled him into stepping closer to her without his head's permission. It seemed, the command had come from somewhere forgotten in his chest…

"Of course, that makes sense." He heard her mutter, before she beamed up at him. Kami, she looked even more breathtaking now she was pregnant, then she did when he ravished her. Perhaps, that was because the sense of fear had vanished from her now. She seemed very happy and content around him. Odd, but true.

"You make no sense."

"2 or three months, that's all I ask." Tokio giggled, reaching forward timidly, and blushing madly as she cupped his right hand, his left still holding the hilt of his katana.

"What happens in 2 or 3 months!" Saito snapped, the touch of her skin making his insides flip and boil. If only he had come sooner, of only…

"For the birth of our child, of course."

And for the second time in his life, she had successfully stunned him.

Saito's amber eyes uncharacteristically widened, his lips parting slightly, and forgetting how to breath for a moment.

"You mean…" Tokio took the hand she was holding, and placed it over her stomach.

And at that very moment, as if fate herself had planned it from the start, a hard kick against womb lining rippled through his hand, from his child.

His child.

My…child. I…have a child…

It was the strongest magic he had ever felt, a stronger drug than any sake, and more addictive than the most pleasurable company.

Forgetting himself, Saito took his left hand off the hilt of his sword, and cupped the other side of Tokio's stomach.

"Did you think I had slept with any other man?" she whispered, knowing that although it didn't appear so, he was still listening. "You made a deal with me. You said that if I could get you out of my father's carriage, without having to kill anyone, you would care for my mother, and come back for me." Her blush increased. "I believed you, and…kept myself for you." She giggled again. "But it seems, that just our one night of passion, was enough to create such a beautiful thing. A baby. We created it, together."

I…created something.

After killing for so many years, to have actually created life…was invigorating. And soul healing. "I tried to tell my mother just how wonderful I felt, even with the sickness, but…"

It was then Saito snapped his eyes up at her, narrow, keen, deadly. He had just remembered that Lady Takagi had kicked Tokio out. And in her condition! Alone!

Tokio gulped, looking away with shame. "…she disagreed. Mother said…I should have aborted the baby with herbs, but I wouldn't allow it. She said that having a bastard child in the family would-"

"Bastard child!" Saito spat, obviously livid by this point.

"…I know this is right, it feels right." Tokio held her hands over his on her stomach, realising how close Saito had actually willingly stood with her. She hoped this would calm him. holding her baby like this, had calmed all of her sleepless nights of crying in sorrow for him to come back to her, and from the pain. Being pregnant and working in a tailor shop, on your hands and knees patching up kimono obis and Hakame, took a lot out of you. "I waited for you, like you said. You said you would come for me…and I prayed you would come for your child too." Happy tears glistened in her watery chestnut eyes, leaking down her cheeks. "And you did." Tokio sniffled, and gasped in shock as Saito pulled her into an embrace.

It must have taken a lot for him to do that, she knew. And she gratefully retuned the embrace.

"We shall be married immediately, and you shall live in my home, our home." He corrected. Tokio had to giggle at how he was telling her what she was to do. More like order. "You will stay in the home, and follow all my instructions for your safety. In these bloody times…"

"I will do everything you tell me to." Tokio promised quietly, reminding him just how timid his little mouse was.

Oh yes, she was his. And he would never let her go, or ever let anything hurt her. A Wolf always protects his mate, and his cubs. Always.

End flash back.