Disclaimer: The usual disclaimer applies.

Happy Halloween!

Saitou sneered as his friend took selfies with squealing fans, not Okita's fans per se. Well … yes and no. He shook his head, secretly enjoying the irony, muttered "Idiot", and made his way to the back of Mibu-dera.

He supposed it was nice the way some things never changed, and others were so drastically different.

Okita found his surly friend, paying his respects to the bust of Kondo Isami, and deep in thought. He smiled, this just wouldn't do.

"Here take this."

Saitou turned and looked down at the ema tablet Okita was holding out. It was likeness of the Shinsengumi's distinctive coat and colors. "What am I supposed to do with that?"

"Well," Okita started, completely unfazed at his friend's attitude, "you could write your deepest wish on it." He then gave his taller friend a wicked grin, "You could wish for a long and happy life."

"Idiot." Still, Saitou smirked. "Hasn't it been long enough? How life has changed…"

Okita blinked and turned back to look at Saitou once he had hung his tablet beside the bust of Kondo. "Are you getting sentimental on me!? The Third Captain of the Shinsengumi?"

"You're a fine one to talk." Saitou drawled and gestured to Okita's "costume" because in this day and age that's what it was, a costume.

Okita stretched his arms out before him and looked at his Shinsengumi coat, and grinned. "They think I am a fan. I think this new age is great. Did you know that we're heros?"

"Idiot."

Okita was about to respond when a few more tourists walked into the graveyard. Instead he and Saitou stood silently before Kondo each mulling over a lifetime, history, and their own roles in that history. The outside world could never imagine who and what they really were … In a way, their becoming werewolves had played into history.

They were silent until one of the tourists called out to her friend, "Tokio!"

Saitou's head snapped towards the two women, and was stunned to see the one named Tokio looked very much like another woman who had carried the same name.

The woman named Tokio stood before the information plaque. "Tami look here."

The other woman pouted, "Let's go. I want to head back to Gion and maybe go shopping."

Tokio rolled her eyes, "We will, but can't we enjoy history first?"

Tami scoffed, "You history nerd. Plus, there's history in Gion."

Tokio laughed, "I am sure you're much more interested in the cute waiter than any history."

"She does look an awful lot like her …"

Saitou mentally slapped himself, annoyed to have been caught staring, and turned back to Okita who was eyeing him with open curiosity. "She's dead."

"Yes, but maybe her soul is alive. Look at us, and there's so much we don't know about … "

Saitou raised an eyebrow, "Wishful thinking?"

Okita shrugged, "Is it wrong to believe she could be reincarnated?"

" … " Saitou knew his friend was thinking of the woman he himself had loved and lost. "Shall we head to Koen-ji Temple?"

Okita nodded. Then just to break up the sudden tension he said, "I think I should start a youtube channel and maybe buy a selfie stick …"

"A what?"

"Dude. You can't live under a rock forever! Get with the times!"

"If the 'the times' means getting something called a 'selfie stick' then I rather not."

"I think they're great."

The two old warriors continued their bickering as they walked out.

At Koen-ji Saitou made to leave the graveyard to give his friend moment alone. Just as he was turning out the young woman from earlier crashed into him. He let out a grunt from the impact and grabbed the woman's arms to steady her.

"I am so sorry!" Tokio looked up at the tall man, and felt her breath leave her.

Saitou stared down at the woman, his eyes glazing over momentarily, he couldn't deny that she was familiar. It was more than looks, something deeper called out to him.

"Tokio!"

Tokio's friend drew her out of her daze and she went bright red. After another apology she beat a hasty retreat. She turned back though, just fast enough for their eyes to meet once more, and wondered at the heavy feeling of loss and familiarity.

As Tokio disappeared into the graveyard, and Okita came out. "Why does it feel like I missed something?"

"Nothing."

"I know you. You're hiding something."

"Only that I find you tiresome."

"You find everything tiresome. That's hardly a secret."

As they walked out Saitou thought, maybe Okita had a point. Even in their long existence there was so much they still didn't know.

The end.

I spent the last three days in Kyoto and this little plot bunny sprang up. I feel a little silly writing it but I hope you enjoy it.

And Yes! I did visit several sites associated with the Shinsengumi. Sadly the Ema tablets were sold out when I went.