Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, its characters, or their likeness. The story premise and cheesiness is mine.
Author's notes:
Hello! Is anyone there? Or am I alone in my Saitou x Tokio fandom? I hope not.
It's been a long time and I've been meaning to write for even longer than that. Sadly life got in the way. For one, I started practicing law again and that has sucked everything out of me. It feels good to write again and these characters are old friends, and I find comfort in writing them. Still it takes me a while to remember who they are, and who I am.
Please enjoy this short. It's not as polished as I would like, but it's a start! I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Anreg and give it to her as a Christmas gift. Thank you for fangirling with me all these years. Hope you enjoy it!
—-
Hajime-kun, it's Christmas and I just thought maybe the time had come to do something about your feelings for Tokio-san. Invite her out for a drink and then, casually drop into the conversation the fact that you'd like to marry her and have lots of sex and babies. Or, I could tell you that I signed you up for our secret santa and assigned you Tokio-san. Merry Christmas Scrooge.
Saitou Hajime read the text message again before deciding that this time Okita had gone too far. "Idiot," he growled, a sound from the back of his throat. To be fair, his friend was a smart idiot for the man knew how dangerous it would have been to deliver such news in person.
Still it left Saitou in an awkward position. He glared at his phone, and considered his options. He could ignore the whole farce, but that would leave Tokio without a gift and even he wasn't so heartless.
He could participate, the only real option, but what would he get the attorney? Despite their lengthy professional relationship and friendship, Saitou had no idea what would be considered an appropriate gift.
Then there was the last option, he could kill Okita. But that was an option Saitou could exercise any time, but it did not ease his current predicament.
Saitou flexed his fingers and looked for an outlet for his frustration. He found it in the form of his overly decorated desk. Saitou glared, in the absence of Okita's neck the desk would have to do. He grabbed hold of one of the string of lights that outlined his desk, and pulled. It came off with a satisfying clatter of glass being forced against one another.
Saitou may have forgiven his friend/partner/nemesis if the man had stuck to one form of torture. But no, Okita, who never did anything in halves, spent all of December trying to make Saitou miserable. Okita called it spreading Christmas cheer. Case in point, the secret santa business and decorating Saitou's desk. Saitou growled and yanked, with more force than was necessary, imagining just where he would put the offending lights.
It wasn't that Saitou necessarily hated Christmas, he just didn't have any need to care one way or another. If it weren't for Okita's inclination for all things gaudy he might have let the holiday pass without comment.
Okita, however, insisted everyone celebrate, participate, and enjoy the madness of Christmas. That unfortunately included Saitou.
Thankfully for Okita, celebrating Christmas became trendier each year. And every year Okita's Christmas celebrations became even louder, brighter, and more extravagant.
Last year the man had turned their department into a scene straight out of the Christmas Carol, with Saitou's desk serving as Scrooge's. The year before, Whoville and this year, a gingerbread village.
Saitou ground his teeth in annoyance as he ripped marshmallows off his desk and smashed the sticky candy onto Okita's. If Okita's creativity hadn't been designed to annoy his friend, Saitou would have been able to appreciate the level of detail the man put into each year's decorations. But Saitou was Saitou, and as far as he was concerned covering his desk in brown paper, outlining it in lights, using light happy colors and actual pieces of marshmallow was a waste of time, energy, and money.
Then there was the greatest offense of all, the fact that Okita had decided to meddle in Saitou's private affairs. Yes, the man would have to pay.
"Okita-san, really out did himself this year."
The tall stern man momentarily paused in his efforts to create the only Christmas free zone, i.e. his desk, to acknowledge the only other person in the office and the source of his frustration - though unknowingly. Takagi Tokio, the petite district attorney who, despite the jolly and festive santa hat perched atop her head, managed to be a force of nature in her own right.
Saitou growled in response, and continued ripping the decorations off his desk.
Takagi Tokio chuckled lightly as she walked up to the Detective. "I think the phrase you're looking for is 'Bah hamburg'," she grinned as Saitou threw her a nasty look.
"Easy wolf, I am just trying to stay on theme," she gave him a mischievous smile.
"Don't start," he said dryly as he ripped wrapping paper off his chair. Why Okita had decided to gift wrap Saitou's chair in candy cane paper was beyond him. "Okita doesn't need any encouragement to be a nuisance."
"Speaking of Okita-san, has he left for the day?" Tokio asked as she began to wind a string of lights around her arm, putting order to Saitou's rampage against Christmas.
Saitou's mood soured even further, but this time it had nothing to do with his partner's activities and everything to do with Tokio asking for him. Maybe he would ignore the whole secret santa business. He quickly squashed the idea as childish, because Saitou was not childish.
"Ah. He and his sweater left for the day."
Tokio blinked and then laughed openly at Saitou's obvious disgust, "He really did go all out." She put down the lights to look at the flyer taped to the wall. It proudly announced a week of fun. Each day centered around a theme, starting with Ugly Sweaters on Monday, and ending with a hot chocolate bar and secret santa.
"And you stayed behind to roast chestnuts by the fire." Tokio's smile widened as Saitou threw a particularly dark look her way. "That's fortunate because I actually came here to talk to you." She sat in the desk across from his and mentally prepared herself to use all of her persuasive skills.
Tokio knew full well that in a battle of wits, a display of cunning, and show of will they were equally matched. It was exactly what thrilled her about interacting with the man before her, but there was a fierceness to the man that always proved to be a challenge. A challenge that the attorney thoroughly enjoyed.
Yet, there were things that she could not get an accurate read on. And she really wished she could.
"I have a favor to ask you and it's Christmas related."
Saitou turned to assess the attorney, taking in everything from her velvet trousers to the cream colored sweater she wore and mischievous light in her eyes. He kept his face expressionless. She, in turn, smiled sweetly. It was a good thing that the attorney had no idea what that smile did to him.
"Christmas related you say?" Saitou asked, his voice dry. Mentally calculating the risk that the woman would ask him to wear something disgustingly cute and on-theme. He frowned, something like Okita's abomination of a Christmas suit - a green, red, and white trouser and blazer set that had reindeers prancing all over it.
Tokio chuckled, "I am not going to ask you to wear anything with christmas trees, reindeers, or even elves on it. If that's what you're afraid of." She placed her elbow onto Okita's desk, her chin resting on the palm of her hand.
Saitou watched as Tokio's eyes filled with amusement. A part of him was glad that she knew him so well, but the other resented the woman picturing him in any festive wear. Especially when there were so many other things she could be picturing.
"No, this is far more in your area of expertise."
Saitou narrowed his eyes, curious despite himself. "Get to the point, Tokio. What do you want?"
"I came to bribe you into helping with our office decorations," Tokio said simply. It would not do to draw this out.
"And how exactly does that play into my particular expertise?"
"I need help hanging the Christmas lights." The light of amusement in Saitou's eyes did not escape her.
He smirked, "I would hardly call my height an expertise."
"Tell that to the vertically challenged," Tokio replied, her tone holding a note of bitterness.
"And why should I help you?" Having finally cleared his desk of all traces of merriment, Saitou took a seat and looked intently at the woman before him. If Saitou was going to help, he fully expected something in return.
"Oh, I can think of a few reasons. 1. Okita-san would hate it if my department won; 2. It would make me very happy to beat Okita-san this year; 3. Imagine Okita-san's face when he realizes you helped; and 4. I'll owe you."
Saitou pretended to consider her offer. It would indeed please him to help in dethroning the self fashioned king of Christmas, but what he really wanted was Tokio in his debt. It would also give him the perfect excuse to do some research for his secret santa gift.
"Well, then," Saitou stood up, and rolled his shoulders back, "we better get started."
Tokio blinked slowly, bewildered at how easy that had been. "What?"
"But I'lll have nothing to do with tinsel."
Tokio laughed, as she followed behind. Surprised at how easy that had been. "We'll see if I can't convince you that tinsel and Christmas just go together."
"Careful Counsel, it's not too late for me to withdraw my assistance."
The attorney smiled to herself and decided to keep her witticism to herself. Tokio highly suspected that once she had asked for help he would not abandon her.
—-
"Who did you get in the secret santa exchange?"
The corner of Tokio's mouth quirked. "You know about that?"
Saitou snorted, "I work with Okita."
Tokio smiled, as she directed Saitou where to hang the next set of lights. "Harada-san, I thought a nice bottle of sake would do."
Then with a sly smile, "Unless you have a better idea?"
Saitou again scoffed, "The man would be happy with any trinket. There's no need to get him anything nice."
Tokio bit her lip to keep from laughing, "He's not so bad." Though it was true that the man was easily amused. He and Okita tended to get into the most ridiculous things. "Plus, that's not the point of Secret Santa."
Saitou raised an eyebrow, "Enlighten me Counsel, what is the point? Besides buying others pointless and needless things."
"It's harmless fun and a great way to see how well someone knows you."
"Is that so." Saitou mentally grinned, this was easier than he expected. "And what are you hoping to get?"
Tokio, again, gave Saitou a sly smile. "Detective, are you spying for someone?" Her eyes then lit up, "Do you happen to know who my secret santa is?"
Saitou tsked, "And why would I help anyone?" Why indeed. There was no way he would help anyone else get closer to the attorney. He had been witness to enough of Tokio's romantic disasters as it was.
"Because despite what you want others to believe, you can actually be kind." Tokio looked into the intense eyes and silently dared him to challenge her.
Saitou took the challenge and gave her a wolfish grin, "Few would agree with you."
"You just do things in your own way." This time, Tokio's smile was warm. "You wait for me if I am working late."
Saitou looked at the woman intently, and said nothing.
It was true, he did wait and it had become routine. If and when he could, he would wait for the attorney and walk her as far as the train station. Tokio, for her part, always let him know when she intended to work later than usual or left early. On those occasions when she did work late they would have dinner, courtesy of the local Konbini, in her office.
It was a custom they both had grown to appreciate. It gave them a sense of stability in their fast paced and high stress jobs.
It was this sense of camaraderie and friendship that made it hard for Saitou to move forward with his intentions. It did not help that Tokio gave him very little encouragement.
So, Saitou made a noncommittal sound and prepared to hang the next set of lights.
Tokio continued to direct the operation, while trying to ignore the fluttering sensation in her stomach. Normally a bold woman, there was something about the man that made her shy.
"You still haven't answered my question."
Tokio blinked as Saitou draped lights across her shoulders, and watched as he slid his hands into his pockets.
She considered the question carefully, allowing herself to enjoy the moment. Tokio could either be honest and take a line from Mariah Carey's popular Christmas song, or she could give a political answer.
Tokio chose to be political.
"That's between me and my Secret Santa." Tokio gave him a dazzling smile, before turning away. "We're almost done. Just a few more lights."
"Indeed," whispered Saitou, watching as she walked away. In that moment, Saitou decided that their game had gone on long enough and he would use this secret santa business to break out of his stalemate.
—-
Tokio had proudly pronounced the office decorated and suggested they grab dinner at a local ramen place. They were now on their way to the train station, and Saitou could tell that something was weighing on Tokio.
He looked at Tokio out of the corner of his eye. He knew that expression, she was trying to figure out her best course of action. It was one he had often seen when in court when she was preparing to take a calculated risk.
He smirked faintly, and idly wondered if he had anything to do with the calculated risk. Afterall he had his own risk to consider, one that Okita had set in motion by openly mentioning the previously unmentionable. Saitou and Tokio's relationship. Or lack of one.
Despite Okita's flair he was not that different from Saitou, and there was a deep mutual respect there. For some reason though, the other man had decided to go against the norm and actually given Saitou advice.
Saitou slid his gloved hands into his coat's pocket, and waited for Tokio to voice what was on her mind. He was unprepared for what she said.
"Why have you never asked me out?"
Saitou froze mid-step and turned to face Tokio. She was huddled in her coat and staring at him with firm determination. He decided it was an odd day. He shrugged, and answered simply, "You never gave me any encouragement."
Tokio blinked, her mouth opening slightly in disbelief, "What?"
Saitou closed the distance between them so that their fogged breath mingled together, "I made my intentions clear."
Tokio blinked again before laughing openly and loudly, "Detective. It appears our signals have gotten lost in translation. Nothing about your intentions were clear."
He glared down at the woman, more than slightly embarrassed and equal parts annoyed. "Oye, do you think I treat everyone with as much consideration?"
"How is that clear Saitou-san?" Tokio shook her head, her hands grabbing hold of the tail ends of Saitou's scarf. "You're not exactly easy to read."
"This isn't all on me. You could have said something."
Tokio tugged on the scarf ends and sighed, "You're right."
"I usually am."
This time, Tokio glared up at the man, "Hardly." They stood in silence, each lost in their own thoughts of missed opportunities, and unsaid wishes.
"Why now Tokio?" Saitou whispered, stepping closer to Tokio.
Tokio blushed at his tone, "Just because it's Christmas and at Christmas you tell the truth."
Saitou gave her a flat look, "Did you come up with that?"
"Of course not, it's from a movie and I'll probably regret saying something so - " Tokio didn't finish her sentence and her mind went completely blank as Saitou leaned down and kissed her. The attorney forgot that they were out in the street and that they had a train to catch. Instead she focused on meeting Saitou's kiss.
Saitou was the first to move, he reluctantly broke the kiss, and looked at the dazed woman before him. He grinned, his hand going to the small of her back to edge her forward. "Let's go or we'll miss the last train."
Tokio nodded absently, very much aware of the hand on her back. Her mind reeling at what had just happened and the unexpected turn of events. She had no idea what had possessed her to finally ask the question that had bothered her for an age. It was probably the Christmas spirit, twinkling lights, and just being so near to the man.
It didn't matter. She now knew where she stood with Saitou.
"Do you know who my secret santa is?"
"Tokio," Saitou allowed a note of exasperation to enter his voice, "That's what you want to discuss right now?"
Tokio shrugged and smiled up at the man. "I know what I want to ask my Secret Santa."
"Oh?"
Tokio couldn't help, but laugh. "I am sure you can guess."
Saitou tsked, "Some things have to be said Tokio."
"Indeed Detective," Tokio gave him a meaningful look, "You'd do well to remember that."
He glared down at her, "It takes two Tokio."
Tokio tossed her hair back, and shrugged. "Then it's a lesson we should both keep in mind."
After that, Saitou left Tokio on her platform and took the stairs to his. As he stood on his platform, directly across from Tokio, he felt his phone vibrate.
Saitou pulled his phone out of his coat pocket and smiled at the text message.
He looked up and across the platform to where Tokio stood. She was watching him, her phone in her hand, and a warm smile on her lips.
Tokio saw him pocket his phone and nod before her train arrived. When Tokio boarded her train, she was warm and hopeful in a way she had not been in a very long time.
Saitou, for his part, decided he didn't need Secret Santa or Okita to break out of his stalemate. Just a fortuitous turn of events. Okita would probably say it was the spirit of Christmas and take the credit, and maybe it was.
Maybe Saitou should be gracious and thank Okita. If he was lucky, the shock would kill the man. He smirked at that.
—- The Next Day —-
"What is this?" Okita stared, dumbfounded, at the cup of coffee Saitou had placed on his desk.
"A poor excuse for coffee," was Saitou's dry response. He took a seat across from his partner, his own cup of coffee - black- in hand.
Okita sniffed his coffee suspiciously before taking a tentative sip. It smelled and tasted fine. Saitou had even made it just how he liked it - one part coffee, two parts milk, a piece of chocolate, and peppermint. Maybe the Christmas spirit was finally melting the man's ice cold heart. Okita decided to accept the rare act of kindness. He held his mug up in a silent toast, Saitou held his own up.
After a few sips, Okita grinned, "Does this mean you took my advice and asked a certain district attorney out?"
Saitou raised an eyebrow, "What makes you think I needed your help?"
"Because you've been pinning for years." Okita gave his friend a sly smile while continuing to drink his coffee in large gulps. Okita was not the kind of person to nurse a cup of coffee.
Saitou smirked, "All you need to know is that I have it figured out."
A few minutes of silence passed before Okita asked, "You're not going to tell me?" When Saitou did not respond, Okita narrowed his eyes at the tall man, " Please tell you at least bought her something for Secret Santa."
"I said I have it figured out."
"That's not an answer!"
"It's the only one you're going to get," Saitou said, his voice holding a note of warning.
"You're a -'' However, Okita did not finish that thought as a far more pressing need overcame him and he rushed out.
"Well," Saitou let amusement color his voice and he chuckled as he watched his friend race out the office.
—-
"Bastard!" Okita groaned from the only throne he was sitting on this Christmas, the porcelain one. He again cursed Saitou for lacing his coffee with a laxative. Okita reached for the toilet paper only to realize it was empty.
"SAITOU HAJIME!"
Saitou grinned wolfishly from where he stood at the end of the hall. That should teach the brat to get involved in his personal affairs.
He threw his arm out to stop a young officer from heading to the restroom. "Use the one upstairs."
The younger officer did not question the man, and just turned on his heels heading for the elevator.
—-
"You were my secret santa?" Tokio stared, dumbfounded, at Saitou, the karaage halfway to her mouth nearly forgotten and slipping.
"Ah," Saitou caught the piece of chicken before it fell and deftly ate it. "Are you disappointed?"
"No," Tokio smiled sweetly, before stealing the last piece of karaage straight off of Saitou's plate. "Just surprised that you're taking part."
Saitou glared, "I wasn't given a choice."
"What am I getting from Santa then?" At Saitou's grin, Tokio blushed. "That wasn't supposed to sound dirty."
Saitou chuckled, "You wanted a date. Isn't that what we're doing?"
"That was before I knew you were my secret santa." Tokio laughed, before turning her attention back to her soba. "No, this is all I wanted."
"Is that so." Saitou watched the attorney for a minute before asking, "So you don't want the fried chicken and cake I ordered for Christmas?"
Tokio blinked and then smiled warmly, just for him. "That sounds perfect." Who would have guessed Saitou was a romantic. She was going to keep this particular fact to herself.
"I heard Okita was sick yesterday."
"Ah, probably his coffee."
Tokio eyed him shrewdly, but said nothing more and went back to enjoying her first date with the detective.
- The End -
*** BONUS ***
For what seemed like the 100th time that week, Tokio was surprised. Amongst the pile of secret santa gifts was a simple white envelope tied off with a red ribbon bearing her name.
Inside were two tickets to the opera. Tokio smiled and when asked who her secret santa was she would answer, "Someone who knows me."
And later that evening when Tokio would ask Saitou about her gift, he'd shrug and say, "I couldn't leave you without a gift."
Saitou was well thanked for his efforts.
*** Another Bonus ***
Author's notes - This story went through several versions until I found one that worked. It's hard to delete scraps and thought I would share it with you all. Also, further disclaimers: Yes, I quoted straight from the movie Love Actually. (I love that movie)
Two hours later found Saitou and Tokio standing side-by-side staring out the window. The Christmas lights they had spent the last two hours hanging twinkling ominously before going out completely.
"There's a good foot of snow blocking the doors, and even if we could make it out. The trains have stopped running."
Tokio nodded, watching as the blizzard hid the skyscrapers that normally stood before her. "So, we're stuck here."
"That is the obvious conclusion."
Tokio gave Saitou a deadpan look. "Play nice Detective. We're in for a long night."
"Hopefully it's only a night, and not days."
"My, aren't you full of good cheer and optimism."
"Counsel, may I remind you we're trapped without food or power." Saitou tried not to growl out his frustration. For a man that prided himself on being prepared and aware, this was unacceptable. Though, not even he could have predicted that the storm that was supposed to arrive hours later would hurry itself along.
"That is the obvious conclusion," was Tokio's cheeky reply and she could not hide her amusement when the cop growled in response.
They fell into silence, each lost in their own thoughts as they watched the snow fall.
While Saitou assessed the situation, and made a plan of attack, Tokio dwelled on the irony of the situation. She had hoped to spend some time with the difficult man and to avoid the storm, but now she would be spending the night with the Detective
It was at that moment that the situation seemed far too funny and she laughed.
Saitou, for his part, turned to stare at the woman idly wondering if the dropping temperature had affected the usually sensible woman. "What are you laughing at?"
"Saitou-san, look at us! This is almost straight out of one of those bad holiday movies with the asinine and predictable endings. Two work-a-holics stuck together for the night and forced to help each other survive the cold."
Saitou raised an eyebrow, far more intrigued than he cared to let on.. While Saitou himself did not watch such movies he could very well imagine the story lines, and their endings. A wolfish grin began to play at the edges of his mouth.
"Is that so. And what would be the ending to this particular movie?"
Tokio absentmindedly replied, "The two would end up revealing feelings, and . . . " She trailed off, her cheeks suddenly going pink. Suddenly aware of how much she might be revealing.
She did not need to see the insufferable man to know he was grinning. Damn him. Tokio coughed, trying to hide her discomfort and she refused to meet the man's eyes. When she could stand it no longer she turned on her heel.
"Alright Detective, see what food you can find and I'll gather all the blankets."
Saitou watched Tokio make a hasty escape, his hands in his pockets, and decided that the night would not be so bad afterall. He smirked. No, the night might prove advantageous.