Please note that this is post "The Final" movie. This happened around 2 months after Kenshin and Enishi's fight.
An Unexpected Invitation
Epilogue / Prologue
He hated paper works with a force of a thousand burning suns. That he had to deal with so much seemed like an unreasonable punishment for allowing himself to work for these Meiji scums. Not everyone in the government were tyrannical usurpers, true but a good number of them were despicably dishonest, using their position to amass wealth. Everyone was trying to line their pocket with money, from the smallest official to the highest-ranking member of the Cabinet. It was despicable. The bureaucracy had allowed them to steal in new and complicated ways.
There were two ways to go about punishing the corrupt. Swift death is the easiest and one that he wished he was able to employ. Reliable as this maybe, it wasn't always the most effective. Killing is, alas temporary. Someone new will take the vacated position and it with Japan's luck, it will either be some young idiot appointed by virtue of his father knowing someone in the Ministry or the usual unscrupulous, greedy politician.
Politicians are the absolute worst. Disgusting thieves, all of them. Espousing modernization, liberal-democratic rule, under which they could control things, with – the fucking irony – more paper works.
What was it that he had heard just the other day? It isn't the severity of the punishment but the certainty of it. Justice under the Rule of Law and not by the sword. And yes, this was the second way to punish the corrupt. Mountains of documents and evidence, investigative work that requires time and resources that of course, were never given to them.
Fujita Gorō, follow this Minister, suspicious activities, provide paper trail, eyewitnesses, a crime scene.
But the moment he'd ask for budget, backing and support, he'd be brushed aside, told to wait for the approval of the officials: write off a request, fill up a form. It was endless, the things he had to when he could so easily just wait in the darkness and kill evil instantly.
Saitou could feel the mild pressure of a headache starting just at the base of his skull as he narrowed his eyes at the towering stack of paper that had accumulated on top of his table.
It's a fire hazard, he thinks, uncaringly lighting another cigarette, shaking the match to extinguish the flame. He flicked it right on the of the pile that he was supposed to be working on. He watched as part of the cover page turned dark, about to catch fire – but the flame sputtered and died before it could spread and engulf his entire desk.
Saitou briefly wondered how well that excuse will fly with his superiors when they ask him, yet again, for the report on whatever it was that they fancied. He grimaced. It was getting late. He should probably head home or swing by at an izakaya, grab something to eat. He wasn't much of a drinker but perhaps a cup of cool sake would help with this abominable weather.
He slowly rotated his neck, fingers deftly getting rid of the knots in his muscles. Already making up his mind, he abruptly stood up, surveying the almost empty office for the investigators of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. The Ministry of Interior had been kind enough to give them a little corner where desks were shared by three, sometimes even four, investigators.
Technically, they weren't directly reporting to him. After all he was part of the Department of Internal Affairs, but they were currently (always) short staffed and so he had been allowed to engage the police force. Saitou wouldn't be allowed to take any one of them to China, of course – not that he meant to anyway, they didn't have the experience or the skill required for such a delicate and dangerous assignment. He would, as always, do everything himself as soon as he steps foot in that godforsaken country.
And this only reminded him of the numerous forms he has to accomplish for that foreign trip under the guise of some diplomatic exchange of goodwill – he hasn't read the official excuse they will be using to entrap those damnable Chinese criminals and the Japanese (shame on those bastards!) smugglers.
He had taken a great risk getting that demented Yukishiro out of prison. He was their only link with the Chinese Mafia (alive and coherent, at least) and in the brief moment that he'd spent trying to get any information from him, Saitou had already figured out the perfect way to manipulate the boy into giving him everything he needed.
Like a petulant child out for revenge, Saitou hadn't been at all surprised when Battousa's brother-in-law had taken the bait, crazed eyes glinting with no doubt, his own plans of sticking it to the clueless Himura. Trying to kill his giri no ani hadn't worked (not yet, anyway) but here was an opportunity to make his life miserable. At least for a few weeks, until he could come up with a more permanent way to ruin him.
This was all so easily read from the way Yukishiro had readily agreed to the plan, no further questions asked.
I will annoy my murdering brother-in-law? What do I need to do?!
How boringly predictable. Of course, Saitou would have to expect the unexpected from Yukishiro. He would have to be very cautious and keep an eye on him. The boy didn't crawl up to the top of the criminal underworld and gained the trust of the Chinese mafia if he hadn't been wily. Yukishiro can be cunning, yes. Saitou was aware of that but he was also still young; ruled, just like his abhorred brother-in-law, by emotions and twisted ideals of revenge and redemption.
Proof of Yukishiro's volatility: on the very day of his release, the idiot had burned the warehouse the government had confiscated. And for such obvious reasons, too. Saitou had wanted to strangle him for wasting the time and effort of Tokyo's police force and the fire department something so unnecessary. He had managed to calm himself down when he saw Himura and the kid watching the fire, wide-eyed and suspicious of everyone.
Remember, this could also be fun. He had reminded himself as he left the minor chaos that Yukishiro had unleashed. Kami knows he hadn't been able to have any sort enjoyment ever since he had started working for the government. And if it was at the expense of an old enemy, then he might as well grab the opportunity. He would have to talk to Yukishiro about subtlety. But then maybe that wasn't something he was capable of, evident of the hot air balloon and the bombing of Tokyo for a personal grudge. Saitou could overlook that too. Since Yukishiro had gotten rid of Chou and for that, he was actually thankful.
Saitou picked up the jacket he had carefully draped over his chair. He should have kept Yukishiro locked up for another day as he called for the Kamiya girl to his office. There would be much protest from her, the kid, the Rooster, The Fox – why Battousai's woman would want to turn her dojo into a proverbial zoo was beyond him – but they wouldn't have any choice. He had, truth be told, wanted to look at the Kamiya girl in the eye as he proposed (ha!) the pretend marriage between her and Yukishiro.
It would probably end with a broken table and damn if that will be taken out of his already meagre salary. Speaking of which, he will be asking for a raise after this undertaking and more importantly, he will be getting it.
Saitou had started buttoning up his immaculately pressed jacket when it hit him. He clenched his teeth, hissing as he felt it slam into him. There was no holding back when that ki was released. It was a message specifically for him but it was uncontrolled enough to make some of the remaining lower ranking police officers squirm in their seats, nervously glancing around at what had caused that feeling of having their insides pinched with some inexplicable energy.
He smirked, pulling at his cuff before taking a long drag on his cigarette, narrowing his eyes as over the hazy smoke, he watched Battousai wordlessly step inside his office, stopping only when he had reached the edge of the worn-out, second-hand table (more budget constraints) that was now separating them. Saito exhaled slowly, noting the way Battousai's eyes glittered dangerously amber. Ah, well this was at least a familiar sight. Kishikan. He couldn't help the satisfied smile that stretched his lips.
"Saitou." No formal, polite greeting. Even the voice was different, lowered into an almost growl.
Good. Saitou had no patience in dealing with the pretentious affectations of the ruruoni. It was always tedious dealing with all that de gozarus and senseless oro -ing. It was a shameful, cowardly act that no former hitokiri should ever indulge in and yet, here we are.
It did, however galled him that the rurouni had the audacity to march into his office so late at night, like he had some power over him. Like he had expected Saitou to just be here, waiting for him. This was also exactly why he had greatly opposed letting Himura and his merry-band of delinquents become part of official police work. Officers and investigators have inevitably become all too familiar and friendly towards, what they now fondly refer to as, The Kenshin-gumi. Kami help him.
"Yoshino!" He barked, his voice loud enough to make everyone else inside the office start grabbing random papers off of their desks, suddenly pretending to be busy. Yoshino Kentaro was the youngest officer at the headquarter and had the unfortunate appearance of having a permanently frightened wide-eyed look of a boy. His name did not help him. Neither did his chubby, child-like face. As was often the case, he was bullied by the sophomore and junior officers precisely because he looked like that. Saitou had little sympathy, but that boy was rather good in organizing files which was why he had made him his unofficial secretary.
Yoshino shuffled into the doorway, bowing and then straightening up, huge rounded eyes looking almost tearful. "Sir?"
"What did I tell you about letting people come into my office?"
The boy gulped. "To always ask if they have an appointment with you," his eyes flitted towards Himura, who would normally be making excuses for such a slip up, but clearly Battousai was not in a very charitable mood. He remained silent as a stone, fist clenched hanging useless at this sides. "It's already late, captain - I had assumed that - at this time, you wouldn't have any appointments…." He stammered until at the very end of the sentence, Yoshino's voice had entirely disappeared, and it was just his mouth opening and closing but no sound was coming out of it.
Saitou rolled his eyes. "Ahou! Get out, now."
With what sounded like a faint squeak, Yoshino scampered out of sight. Hopefully now the boy will remember his rule about unexpected visitors. Especially one who looked as dangerous as Battousai. The baffled look on Yoshino's face was exactly what Saitou had felt when he had first chanced upon the rurouni almost a year ago. That he had been dealing with Himura for so long without having any possibility of finally ending their unfinished fight, grated on his nerves.
Although Saitou had to concede that lately, he had been seeing glimpses of the hitokiri. Perhaps an opportunity will finally arrive. But to be sure, the peace-loving rurouni was still very much present and in control, given the fact that Himura hadn't thought to ambush him on the darkened empty streets of Tokyo or to wait like a dark shadow inside his home. That he had chosen to confront him at the relatively safer police station wasn't lost on him. Even though it really didn't matter where they were. It wasn't as though the combined forces of the junsa and junsa-chō could stop Battousai if he wanted to draw blood. And with the glare Himura was giving him, Saitou wouldn't be surprised if swords would be drawn. His eyes glanced over to where his katana was resting against the wall at the other side of the room. He saw Battousai's eyes following his gaze.
Saitou would have to flip and kick his table to distract Battousai and grab his sword, but it could be done. He'd have the satisfaction of watching all of his paper works explode into disorder. The distance wasn't so great. Battousai seemed to be thinking of the same thing, but he didn't make any movement to indicate that he was bothered by it. "What is so important that you couldn't wait until tomorrow, Himura?" He asked with a drawl, refusing to sit down, forcing the hitokiri to remain standing as well.
"Kaoru-dono." Was the curt answer, an indication that there would no waste of words and phrases tonight, which he actually appreciated.
Saitou let out a long, drawn-out sigh. "If you're here to ask for love advice you slow-" he began, but was immediately cut off when Himura leaned forward, hands placed flat on the table, eyes burning.
"This stops now." Himura barely even moved his mouth with the way he was clenching his teeth.
Saitou was completely unimpressed. The simmering anger was there, probably barely held in check but it wasn't even for him. He wondered if Himura even realize that. Probably not. The idiot. The reason for this particular rage was also so disappointingly predictable. He was even more sure now that the only reason Himura survived being a hitokiri was based solely on his speed. And yes, fighting skills. But he would not have lasted a day if he had to rely on his mental agility. Which would explain how, at such a young age, he had ended up with the Ishin Shishi. So easily manipulated by his own emotions. Then and still, now.
He flicked his wrist, the ashes from his lighted cigarette scattering and settling on top of the papers on his desk, the perfect addition to that burn mark he had inflicted earlier. "Had a visit from your brother-in-law, then?" There was an even more significant spike of ki. He twisted his lips, smirking. "One thing I've got to say about that crazy son of a bitch, he doesn't waste time."
Himura audibly growled. "You want someone to make sure Enishi will do as he's told, use me. I will go with him to Shanghai. But leave Kaoru-dono out of this."
The vehemence in Himura's voice wasn't at all surprising. There was hardly anything complicated about Himura. He was easily read and therefore, easily controlled. Battousai's weakness wasn't the people around him that he was desperate to protect, it was his inability to take a hold of his emotions. Constantly letting his feelings interfere with what needed to be done. What does guilt have to do with trying to catch a criminal? What does compassion have to do with punishing those found guilty of their crimes? What dose love have to do with trying to build a country that the gods would favor and be proud of? Duty first, always.
"Do you see these?" He asked, indicating the pile of paper on his table. He tapped the smallest pile with his finger, "These are all of Yukishiro's official files. Signed witnesses accounts, all the meager documents the best investigators of this country was able to gather. This is enough to throw him in jail and he will never see the light of day ever again but everyone else he had worked with, goes away free."
Himura's eyes squinted disinterestedly. Saito then moved his hand to sweep across the tallest pile of paperwork that hardly spruced up his deck. "Unofficial. We can't release them. We can't use them. Half of them mentions you, Hitokiri Battousai. His sister and the bloody mess that you created in Kyoto ten years ago."
The eyes that slid over to him glowed golden and threatening. And Saitou had to roll his eyes. "I have no plans of babysitting the two of you on a ship to Shanghai. I have better things to do. You understand the importance of getting those documents. You of all people should know what another war would do to this country."
Himura was shaking his head. "You don't get to use that excuse, Saitou. We both know what the government will do with those weapons. If a war is coming, it will come, nothing we do will stop it. You and I both know that."
Saitou narrowed his eyes at him. Not so naïve, after all. But was Battousai even aware of the dissonance of his own beliefs? Or perhaps that was just human nature? After all, didn't he fought against the founding of this very government and now here he was, working for it? "And Shishio Makoto? Was that just your pride?"
Himura's face contorted in anger. "Pride?! No. That was my mistake. I had a hand in creating Shishio."
"The size of your ego is astounding, especially for your size." He snorted, looking down at Himura who visibly bristled.
"I have nothing to do with this war." He insisted, hands clenched against his side. "Two countries fighting each other is different from two people born to the same motherland, who speaks the same language killing each other for peace and freedom."
Saitou nodded, finally understanding. "I see. You've become selfish." Himura made sputtering noises, but he ignored him, waving his hands to silence any forthcoming protest. "The government will get those documents one way or another."
Himura straightened his back and even though he was indeed a small man, this completely changed his stature. He could hide as an unsuspicious, clueless wanderer but if he wished it, Himura can be intimidating with just the smallest gesture. If you knew where and how to look. "Is that a threat, Saitou?"
"It is what it is, Himura. You are only angry because, you're right: this has nothing to do with you." Saitou crossed his arms, tapping his lit cigarette in the process. Ashes silently floated down the floor and without looking down, he moved his shoes, deflt avoiding it.
Battousai's face hardened. "And yet you would drag Kaoru-dono into this. I am getting tired of reminding people that she is neither bait nor pawn. If I have to repeat that one more time, it will be the last."
"Is that a threat?"
"As I have told Enishi, I will not allow it."
Tired of this conversation, Saitou walked towards the other end of the room to pick up his sword, turning his back against Himura. He slowly pivoted to find Kenshin still standing in his place, hands by his side. "Ahou!" Saitou roared, grabbing his katana and pointing it to his arch nemesis. "It isn't up to you. That is why you're angry. Because it isn't your choice to make. You do not have a say in this at all. Only Kamiya-san can decide if she'll go with to Shanghai or not." He let that sink in even though he already knew that Himura had grasped the truth of this. "And you are wrong, it isn't about being pawn or bait, it's about insurance. That is what Kamiya-san is."
There were no more snarling or glaring. Only the cold voice of a former hitokiri, announcing imminent death. "You can say it however way you want to, Saitou. We both know that you are lying. But you're also right. It isn't up to me. I understand that now. Thank you."
That was completely unexpected, Saitou had to admit and he had to take a second to compose himself. He took a deep breath, bringing his sword to his side and securing it within his belt. "That's it?" He asked just as coldly.
Himura nodded, deeply bowing. "Yes, that is it. Try not lose sleep over it, Fujita-san." And with that he exited the room which had gotten darker and colder.
Kami-sama, Saitou thought, tossing the now useless cigarette that Battousai's ki had extinguished. Bastard. He's going to need that jug of sake, because he was already certain that things are about to become much, much more complicated.
And that is the end of this story. Well, part of this story. If I will continue it, I'll be posting it separately. Give me your suggestions! I will love to know what you guys think.
Also, do they feel OOC? I think they do. I think I want a more assertive Kenshin and that's why he's like that? I don't know. The dialogues wrote themselves. HAHAHA. But yes, no more parts for An Unexpected Invitation . Sorry and thank you in advance for reading and leaving a review. I appreciate it like you wouldn't believe how much.
Notes and Terms:
Izakaya - a type of informal Japanese bar that serves alcoholic drinks and snacks Izakaya are casual places for after-work drinking
Giri no ani – older brother-in-law
Kishikan – déjà vu
Kentaro - "sharp; big boy"
Junsa – police officers
Junsa-chō - Senior Police Officer
Also, Saitou is supposed to be a special agent for the Meiji Government's Department of Internal Affairs, but I don't think he'd make that official title known, so I went with captain. If that is incorrect, please let me know. I really can't remember how he introduced himself as – I mean to the civilians in the manga/anime/movie. The Kenshin-gumi, of course would know that he wasn't just some regular police man and Saitou probably had told them as much. But what does Tae know of him, you know? Like she probably calls him just officer or sir. But yes, if you have any inputs here, I would really like to know.
