Chapter: 31
"Hey! Outta the way! You got a couple patriots comin' through here!"
A number of rather unpleasant looking ronin were making their way in my general direction, yelling, threatening, and generally intimidating anyone unfortunate enough to cross their path.
"Patriots?" Hardly. Perhaps they considered themselves loyal to the imperial court, but they looked like the sort who only used their supposed patriotism as an excuse to steal and kill. These were the men whom the Shinsengumi was charged with subduing.
"Hey! You deaf?! I told you to move!"
The ronin tossed a poorly aimed kick at a child playing in the street.
"Hey-!"
I had barely taken a step toward them, when-
"Desist, you hooligans!"
I didn't see where she had come from, but a girl had run out to place herself between the ronin and the child.
"Wassis? You think you can tell us what to do, lady?! Ha! Some broad wants to pick a fight with us?! Patriots loyal to the emperor?!"
The man's obviously short fuse had been lit. He made a grab for the girl and missed. I suspected his next attack wouldn't be quite so inaccurate. I won't let it happen.
"Who are you? You know this broad?"
"No. I don't." I answered.
"Then howsabout you keep your damn nose outta my goddamn business!"
I won't run. I can't. People like him need to be taught.
"If you really loved your country like you say, then why do you abuse women and children? A samurai should protect common people, not attack them."
"What did you say?!"
"That's right! You tell him!"
"How'dya like that, ya ronin! Patriot my ass! Get outta my city!"
Something about my words must have struck a chord with the crowd that had begun to gather.
"You son of a bitch!"
With the rough hiss of metal, the ronin's sword leaped from it's scabbard. I suddenly had difficulty swallowing.
Crap! I could dodge his attacks, but if I did, her could hurt the others.
He raised his sword. "Gaagkh!"
Hmm? I had closed my eyes on instinct and didn't see what was going on.
"You needn't worry. I used the back of my sword."
"Saito!"
"Urgh...hnng... You..."
"Take them to headquarters. They may be Choshu."
"Yes sir!"
Working quickly, Saito's men set to work binding the ronin for transport. Saito's cold eyes then fell on me.
"That was reckless. Why didn't you call me?"
"Sorry. You were busy and I didn't want to disturb you so..."
"The gentlemen is right! You were dreadfully reckless! I had the situation quite well in hand."
I feel really guilty now. Not only is Saito scolding me, but the woman I tried to protect.
"I'm sorry for the trouble."
"Oh, but...you did save me, didn't you now? And I haven't thanked you! How crude of me. Thank you. I must say, you're awfully courageous! Most people wouldn't dare confront a ronin so!"
"I didn't. I mean, Saito and his men saved me. I didn't really do anything."
She raised a dainty hand to her mouth in a poor attempt to stifle a giggle.
"He he. Oh, you don't needn't be so modest. I suspect that this our meeting her, is providence. Young ladies must watch out for one another in the city!"
"Wait."
Saito glanced from her to me, and an expression flickered across his fave that I couldn't quite place.
"...You can't expect to fool everyone. There is no need to worry about it."
"Oh dear. Was it supposed to be a secret? Perhaps I...shouldn't have mentioned it?"
How am I supposed to respond to this kind of question? She seemed to sense my confusion and gracefully moved on.
"I'm terribly sorry, but I don't believe I've even asked your name! How terribly boorish of me! I should very much like to be friends, but it is difficult to become acquainted with the nameless. Might I inquire as to who your are, then?"
"Oh well, he is-"
"Oh, I know who he is. Mr. Saito, yes? The Shinsengumi is frightfully famous around here. And you are?"
"My name is Suzumori Haruna. It's nice to meet you."
"And it is a pleasure to meet you, Haruna. You may call me Sen."