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The Courtship of Lady Tokio

by Misaki Toyodome

Chapter 3 - Summer Nights 1863

August 18th 1863 -

Summer in Kyoto was stiflingly hot. The air hung heavy and there was not a breath of wind as Kondou made his way to Koumyouji Aizu-han headquarters. Leadership suited him; since the Spring, he had quickly assumed the character and strength of will that was required of those who commanded. His men were loyal to him, and he was loyal to his men. The Mibu Roushi Gumi were beginning to establish themselves, and people were started to recognise their activities. Miburo - the wolves of Mibu, they had been nicknamed. He frowned. This was not exactly the sort of sentiment that they wanted to arouse in the civilians. They were not welcome in Kyoto, that much was sure. People feared them and distrusted them. Still, if their reputation meant that roushi of Choushuu origins found it harder to cause trouble and disorder, he would not complain. Already, they were taking steps forward. Organised patrols had resulted in the arrest and execution of several Choushuu conspirators. And they were taking precautions against having the group infiltrated by their enemies. However, it really would be better if they could win the support of the local people.

Serizawa, though, was the problem. Kondou sighed. Kondou respected Serizawa. He was a great warrior. But these days, he was drowning himself in drink, his arrogance growing daily, and he was causing more trouble than the rest of the members put together. When he was drunk, he would attack people randomly. He blackmailed the local merchants for money that he then spent on women and drink. They had tried reasoning with him, but to no avail. He continued to intimidate the locals and draw their resentment to the group, and the people of Kyoto were inherently suspicious of outsiders as it was. "The Miburo are dirty, thieving, dishonourable rabble from Edo." No, indeed, they were not welcome in Kyoto.

And probably not in Osaka either. Kondou sighed again. They had traveled to Osaka in order to recruit and set up contacts there. While they were there, Serizawa had killed a Sumo wrestler, claiming that he had been insulted. The Sumo's clan had then attacked the inn they were staying at, and a riot had ensued. If Kondou had not arranged a meeting with the leader, and offered the apologies and regrets of the Mibu Roushi Gumi, there would probably have been a lot more deaths. Serizawa, of course, was thoroughly displeased.

"What proper samurai would lower his head to a mere Sumo! Peasants with no sense of bushi pride!" He had snarled and spat. He had been even more infuriated when he learned that Kondou and Hijikata had arranged as a gesture of peace to host a Sumo competition in Kyoto, inviting this same Osaka Sumo group. Kondou and Hijikata ignored him, and decided to proceed with the plans, and on the 12th August, the Mibu Sumo Festival had taken place. Serizawa, as though for revenge, decided that same day to assault the Yamato-ya, a rich clothes merchant's store, who he claimed had ties to Choushuu. When the master of the Yamato-ya denied these claims, and refused to pay Serizawa for his "misdemeanours", Serizawa brought out the canon that had been granted to the Roushi Gumi by Aizu. Despite the pleas and protests of the Yamato-ya, he fired at the store, and burned it to the ground...

And today, Kondou had been summoned to the Aizu headquarters. How was he to talk his way out of this?

Late afternoon, Mibu Headquarters -

"Everyone! Come quick! Did you hear the news!"

"Kondou-san has returned, wait til you hear!"

The headquarters buzzed and rippled as the members hurriedly made their way to the main room. Kondou had returned with important news from Koumyouji, it seemed. They knelt facing him, as he produced a letter, signed and sealed by Matsudaira-kou himself, and read it out loud.

"I, Matsudaira Katamori, entrusted with the protection of Kyoto and its people, of the imperial palace and the Emperor, hereby assign a new name to the group known as the Mibu Roushi Gumi. Honour it, and it will bring you honour. 'Shinsengumi', 'those chosen by the new era'. Bear it well. You have the confidence and the support of the Aizu-han."

He refolded the letter., and surveyed the room. All of them looked serious, but he could feel the excitement flooding the room. Intense thrills, immense possibilities, promises of honour and glory.

"Matsudaira-kou himself thought of that name. We must not let him down. We must not fail in our duties." He paused, and then added, "We are also going to receive pay for our upkeep from the Aizu-han on a monthly basis from now. This means no more borrowing money from merchants. We are in the full service of the Aizu-kou now."

A huge cheer broke through the ranks as the members rejoiced.

"Hear that! Officially under the command of Aizu!"

"We're getting paid! No more bad rice, bad food, old clothes! Now we can really look the part!"

"Celebrations! Let's go to Gion tonight!"

The members rushed towards Kondou to thank him and congratulate him. Tonight would be a night to celebrate.

"What's on your mind, Kondou-san?" Hijikata could always tell when his oldest friend was worried.

Kondou sighed. He was reluctant to broach the topic.

"Toshi... When I went to Aizu headquarters today, I hadn't expected this. I was expecting a reprimand of some sort for...recent actions."

The compound was quiet. Most of the members had headed out to celebrate the good news. Many of them would return with considerably lighter pockets, seeing as how they were headed towards Gion.

"...Is it about Serizawa-san?" Hijikata had also been expecting some sort of warning, a punishment. He had been just as surprised as everyone else at their promotion.

"Aah." Kondou sighed again. "After I met Matsudaira-kou, I was escorted out by Hirosawa-san, one of the retainers. He suggested that we...get a handle on controlling our internal affairs. That the present state of our relations with the public and inner group rivalries were unacceptable..."

Hijikata narrowed his eyes. If that meant what he thought it meant... Damn Serizawa. Why did he have to cause so much trouble all the time?

Even after the initial hubris of the first few days had receded, the Shinsengumi members were still in very high spirits. Those who weren't on duty were heading out every night. They drank, they sang, they called for geishas and dances and more drink and more food, and everybody seemed happy. Saitou was relatively happy. He was enjoying good sake for a change. And though he preferred sake to the company of most women, he did not object when a geisha called Kohana offered to pour for him. Harada was the most excited of them all. He had not stopped drinking since the day of the good news, even while on patrol. Laughing and joking, he called for more dances.

"Saitou-sensei, is it true that you're one of the strongest men of the Shinsengumi?" Kohana smiled pleasantly. Saitou did not reply but merely drank.

"That's right, Kohana-san," Okita called over, "he's one of the strongest, and lousiest men we have, and he's famous for his foul manners. Ahaha!"

Saitou glared at Okita.

"The only reason I seem to be in such a foul mood is because I'm in foul company, Okita-kun."

"Kohana-san, he's saying that I'm foul company! Can you believe that? Me, with my bright smile and pleasant conversation? Do you think I'm foul, Kohana-san."

Kohana giggled and looked from one man to the other.

"I mean, really, it's not nice! After all, are the girls and I really no fun?"

As Saitou continued to exchange quips with Okita and drink while Kohana poured for him, Harada remembered something that had been bothering him.

"Oi, Saitou, didn't Nagakura say that you were acquainted with that scribe girl?"

Saitou didn't bother looking up.

"No."

Harada frowned.

"Really? 'Cause Nagakura said that after your practice demonstration and you were being looked after by her, you seemed to know each other. Che, it's unfair, if I'd known that she was gonna be nursing people, I'd have hurt myself."

"And embarrassed us all, Harada. And I am not acquainted with the daughter. I know her father from Edo."

Okita looked at him.

"Oh, he was the one who sponsored your entry from Edo, wasn't he? Hijikata-san said something about that before..."

Saitou glanced at him and nodded.

"What? So you are acquainted with her, through her family! You lucky bastard! Nnnmmmm! Is there anyway you can introduce us? Is there?"

"Ahou."

"Who's this girl?" Kohana pouted. She had made up her mind to gain the favours of at least two of the men here tonight, and it didn't bode well if they were talking about some other woman.

"None of your concern," replied Saitou coldly. Kohana pouted again. Harada was still shouting at Saitou, and Saitou kept drinking. The night was still young...

"Saitou, be sure to escort her properly!" Harada shouted at him as he made his way out of the building, Kohana following behind. Kohana had another party to attend, and he had had enough to drink for one night. For some reason, Kohana was insisting that he escort her.

"There's no one else that can escort me at the moment, and I really do have to hurry," she pleaded, "and it's on your way anyway, so please, I promise not to cause you any trouble." He had reluctantly agreed, as there was no reasonable reason why he couldn't.

"Saitou-san, I'm sorry for putting you out, but I am selfishly glad that you are walking with me." Kohana said in a sweet voice. "Although I have to entertain other guests, I feel that I should tell you, I would really rather stay with you for the evening. The others, I am not really interested in them..." Her voice trailed off. Saitou didn't seem to be paying attention. She pouted. He ignored her - he had no time for simpering females, especially one that tried to play men's jealousies off each other as she had been attempting to do all evening. Kohana must have started to sulk, for she stayed silent and refused to look at him.

'As if I could care less.' Saitou simply could not be bothered.

They had been walking for nearly half an hour, and Saitou was beginning to feel as though he hadn't had enough to drink after all.

'This is the wall of Koumyouji...' The last time he had been inside was that demonstration. 'Harada... He talks too much.' As he turned the corner, he heard a faint sound, like a door sliding open and shut very quietly. Someone appeared in the shadows, and carefully took a look around before starting to walk.

"You there," Saitou called out. The figure stopped and turned around. Saitou's eyes narrowed in surprise. It was her. It was Takagi Tokio, except she was disguised in monk's clothes. She wore her hat deep, yet there was no mistaking her. He smirked maliciously. "Well, well. What are you doing out of your quarters at this hour of the night? As a member of the Shinsengumi, I'd consider it my duty to apprehend suspicious persons who are sneaking out of buildings. Especially if that building happens to be the Aizu headquarters. After all, we can't have spies leaking information to other groups now... Can we?"

She bowed.

"Saitou-sama, what a pleasant surprise."

"Saitou-sama, do you know this monk?" Saitou ignored Kohana, and continued to scrutinise Tokio. Tokio was hesitating, considering her next move.

"Will you report me as a suspicious person then?"

"It depends. What are you doing out of the compound this late at night, and not a single escort with you?"

"I'm sneaking out."

Saitou snorted.

"Don't try my patience" She was still wavering. "Or do you want me to accompany you back inside?"

"... Please don't. They do not know..." She held her breath, and then sighed resignedly. "I merely wanted a change of air. I have not been out of the compound at night for a long time, and I just felt that it wouldn't be so bad... Please. I didn't mean to cause any trouble... Please, Saitou-sama." Her voice stopped wavering, and became clear and steady again. Saitou had not taken his eyes off her. He regarded her for another moment.

"Saitou-sama, please let's hurry. I'll be late for my party, and I was hoping perhaps that you would stop there as well and maybe afterwards accompany me back to my quarters..." Kohana's wheedling tone grated on Saitou's ears. He was still looking at Tokio, who returned his gaze without faltering. He was the one who broke eye contact first.

"Kohana-san, your destination is not five streets from here. The streets are bright, and you know your way. I doubt that you will have any trouble, so excuse me here for tonight."

"What! Wait, why? No, it's not right! You can't let me walk alone at night!"

"If anything happens to you, I swear to commit seppuku." Saitou said dryly.

"That won't make any difference to me after I've been attacked! Really, Saitou-sama, you should know that there are many men who would gladly give their right hand to be allowed to escort me!"

"Then you should have asked one of them. I have some business to attend to. You," Saitou said curtly, jerking his head at Tokio, "come with me."

Tokio didn't move, and said instead,

"...It would be quite rude of you not to fulfill your duty to this lady. Please, do not let me deter you from your...fun."

'Fun? Fun? What does she think is going on here?' Saitou sneered. Still, he had to admit that it didn't seem the most innocent of situations. And Kohana was still wailing.

"In that case, you will come with us to this girl's destination, and then I shall have to escort you back."

Tokio bowed her head, and followed Saitou and a sulking Kohana with a frown on her face.

They left Kohana at her next teahouse: as soon as she stepped into the building, she immediately quit her bad mood and put on a very professional smile.

"Goodnight Saitou-sama, and thank you so much for seeing me this far. I trust that I shall see you again." She said sweetly as she headed in. Tokio though did not miss the cold look aimed at her.

As the remaining two started to head back in the direction of the compound, Tokio murmured,

"Please, Saitou-sama, I have no desire to bother you. Please do not trouble yourself over me, I assure you I will be alright on my own. I promise that I shall head straight back."

"Hmph." Saitou raised an eyebrow. "You bother me by telling me what to do." He paused, and then added,"I wouldn't have the heart to face your father if something were to happen to his eldest child, and I didn't do something about it when I could have."

Tokio looked at the ground.

"After all, your father was a gracious man, and I have no intention of causing him distress. ... Anyway, you were able to take a walk outside the compound. Have you not had enough 'change of air'?"

Tokio remained looking at the ground.

"Well?" Saitou narrowed his eyes. Tokio sighed resignedly, and said quietly.

"I am sorry. I only intended to go as far as the river, and watch the cruise boats for a while... You are right, I should not be wandering alone at night... But..."

"But what, Takagi-san?" Saitou's smile was intimidating. Tokio didn't answer, but merely looked him straight in the eye. Saitou was the one who broke eye contact first.

They kept walking.

As they reached the compound, Tokio tensed. However, instead of heading inside, Saitou kept walking, walking past the walls, past the guards, past the gates, and heading away. Tokio hurried to keep up. She fixed him with a questioning look, but he did not respond. They did not stop until they had reached the river. Tokio was smiling. Checking to see that there was no one nearby, she took off her hat, and sat down at the base of a tree on the banks. Saitou remained standing.

"...Thank you, Saitou-sama."

"Hmph." Saitou leaned against the tree. "You are very naïve, aren't you? A respectable young lady like you shouldn't be out alone with a strange man this late at night. Who says that I'm trustworthy? Who's to say that I won't assault you now?"

"My father." She replied without missing a beat. "He wouldn't have sponsored your entry to the Shinsengumi otherwise." Her eyes were smiling. "My congratulations, by the way, upon your group's promotion." She bowed her head gracefully.

They stayed silent for a while. They watched the colourful cruise boats with their many lanterns navigate the river. Sounds of merrymaking reached their ears. Now and again, a fish jumped in the water.

"I am sorry to have put you out though, please believe me." She started to talk. "It's just that... It's just that I have not been allowed out to see the city since I arrived in February, as the men are all to busy to be escorting me for my leisure. ... I didn't even get to enjoy a single night of the Gion Festival..." She added a little ruefully.

"I doubt your father would appreciate you walking the streets of Kyoto on your own at night." Saitou spoke in an offhand way.

"What my father doesn't know will not hurt him..." She smiled at him mischievously. "Would it be possible to keep this a secret between you and me?"

"Aah... Otherwise I'd never hear the end of it from my colleagues. ... Though they wouldbe quite disappointed to find out that Lady Takagi Tokio is not quite ladylike at times."

She nodded and laughed.

"However, don't try this again." He glared at her slightly. "Next time, someone else might catch you and drag you back inside, and cause you and your father great embarrassment, or someone else might catch you and drag you outside, and cause you and your father even greater grief."

"Or next time, some kind hearted strange man might decide that I deserve a little freedom from time to time?" Her voice was full of mirth. His glare intensified. She looked up at him unconcernedly.

After a few minutes of silence, she started to speak again.

"Things will start changing rapidly for the Shinsengumi... Things should come to a head within the next few weeks."

Saitou fixed her with an inquiring look. She held his gaze. He looked away. ‘Damn it, that's the third time she's stared me down tonight.’ For some reason, he found it hard to look her in the eye for any length of time.

"Oh, by the way, it seems like that Sumo event was a great success." Was she changing the subject? "I thoroughly enjoyed myself."

"You were there?" He hadn't seen her.

"Yes, but not when you were. I stopped for just a short while, I was on my way elsewhere. And anyway, I was in disguise...It is a pity that things didn't go quite as well at the Yamato-ya later that evening, isn't it, Saitou-sama?"

He looked at her, frowning. 'She knows about the Yamato-ya...'

"Serizawa-sensei, I hear that he is indeed a great warrior... It is most unfortunate then..." Her voice trailed off. "Things are changing rapidly within the Shinsengumi. Please, Saitou-sama, take care of yourself."

"Feh. I wouldn't have thought that my affairs were any of your concern."

She bowed her head, and then rose slowly, gracefully to her feet.

"Speaking of things that are not other people's concern, I apologise again for having bothered you tonight." She dusted the dust off her clothes. "If it is alright with you, I think that I should be getting back to Koumyouji soon..."

Saitou studied her for a moment, and then turned to start walking.

"Saitou-sama, thank you very much, for granting me a little bit of freedom tonight."

Her voice was quiet but very clear.