All character rights belong to Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shueisha etc. This is a fictionalized account based in part on historical facts.
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The Courtship of Lady Tokio


by Misaki Toyodome


Chapter 5 - Tenchuu




25th September -

Kyoto was trembling. Here and there, people were huddled in corners, exchanging the latest news.

“Did you hear, there’s been another assassination?”

“They say that they are killing people in the name of the Emperor. As if our Emperor would advocate such foul deeds.”

A wave of assassinations, all with the same message left at the scene: Tenchuu. ‘Divine sentence’. The motives behind the killings were clear: they were targeting Bakufu officials and those with foreign sympathies and inclinations towards ‘kaikoku’, to open Japan to foreign influence. The slogan of the day, ‘Sonnou Joui’, to revere the Emperor and to repel the Foreigners, was slung out as their justification. Basically, they wanted to overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate, with the support of the Emperor, and keep Japan closed off to the outside world.

The irony was, the Emperor, although he agreed with ‘joui’ did not wish for the downfall of the Tokugawa Shogunate in the least, and instead wholeheartedly supported Aizu’s activities in Kyoto.


Things were unsettled within the Shinsengumi also. They knew that all of Kyoto were talking about the Tenchuu assassinations. They knew that it was the work of Choushuu elements. They also knew that the people of Kyoto were more disposed to favouring Choushuu than Aizu, and that they, the Shinsengumi, were not in favour with them at all.

“Saitou-san, what do you reckon of all these recent murders.” Okita asked him one day after they had finished training.

“I reckon it’s our duty to prevent them.” Saitou stated this simply, but it made Okita smile. Okita knew that Saitou knew that assassination, unless there was sufficient warning, was one of the hardest things to protect against. And so far, there had been no warnings. It had been impossible as yet to establish a pattern that they could work with either.

"Damn those Choushuu guys, what are they thinking? Do they really think that pretending like the Emperor is on their side is gonna force him to give control of Kyoto over to them! Who are they kidding?" Harada was indignant. He was a merry man, and amiable, and unused to the cool reactions of the people of Kyoto. He was such a simple person to understand that he felt the sting of miscomprehension more than the others.

Saitou, of course, was not affected in the least by the ill will that had been directed at them. One would assume that he was used to such things. Okita too, seemed oblivious to the insults they received – it was not that he didn’t grasp the nature of the comments and gestures, but that his guileless nature did not afford for bearing a grudge against the citizens.

"Still, if only we could do more than patrol..." Okita sighed resignedly. It would be his group’s turn tonight. Saitou was on duty too.

As it turned out, they ended up doing more than patrolling that night. Halfway through their rounds, they came across some servants hurrying with small barrels of sake into an inn.

“Quickly! They called for this nearly half an hour ago. You don’t want to upset them, these Choushu roushi, they’re dangerous men.”

Saitou and Okita simply looked at each other before they started after them. They turned to the others in the group, and indicated that they should wait outside to see if anyone should try to escape. The two slid open the door of the inn Terada-ya, it seemed like business was good tonight, judging from the noise.

“Aizu-han oazukari Shinsengumi!” They called out.

A man emerged from a side door, looking pale. Upstairs, things suddenly became very still.

“Good evening sirs, to what do we owe this honour?” The innkeeper sounded quite nervous.

“We have reason to believe that there may be some suspicious persons, enemies of the imperial authority, on the premises.” Okita was smiling reassuringly, but the innkeeper did not look at all at ease.

“I beg your pardon sirs, but I am not aware of any such persons being employed or staying here.”

“You have men from Choushuu staying here.” Saitou stated with an inscrutable look in his eyes. The man turned even paler.

“Yes, but they are causing no trouble, I assure you. They have stayed here before, and they have already paid in advance for this time too...”

“Saitou-san! Okita-san!” The shouts came from outside.

Okita slammed open the door, and Saitou followed – they could see three figures running down the street.

“We’re sorry, they threw a large sheet down over us, and then jumped from the floor above.”

‘Fools! To be distracted by such a cheap trick!’ Saitou snarled as he raced after the men, Okita beside him. Saitou glanced across at Okita. He was a very good swordsmen,Saitou would readily admit that, but Okita had little real combat experience with a steel sword. He doubted that Okita had killed a man before Serizawa. They had nearly caught up with the fleeing men in just a few short moments. They could clearly make out their faces, with their strained expressions.

Suddenly though, they ran inside a small house and slammed the doors shut. A heavy bar fell across the threshold as they did, barring their way.

“Stand back, Okita-kun,” ordered Saitou as he prepared to barge down the doors. Just then, there was the sound of a minor explosion. The house teetered, and then swayed, and tiles and beams started to fall from the roof. In a few seconds, the building completely collapsed in a cascade of wood and tiles.

‘Rigged.’ Saitou narrowed his eyes in fury for having missed his prey.

“It was very clever of them to have prepared an escape route, wasn’t it Saitou-san?” Okita seemed more impressed than angry. “There’s probably an underground tunnel leading them to a safe place. We’ll have to investigate once we clear this rubble.” Saitou merely nodded curtly, and started to walk back to the inn.

“Saitou-san?”

“I’m going to gather some information about the Terada-ya’s esteemed guests.” Saitou did not see Okita shake his head. It seemed as though Saitou was not in the mood to improve relations with the people of Kyoto tonight.


30th September -

Saitou stalked his way towards Koumyouji. It was his first day off since Serizawa's death. With one thing, then another, all of the Shinsengumi members were on a very hectic schedule. Especially after the events of the last few days, it had become imperative that they be alert to any suspicious activities by anyone who might have ties to Choushuu. It was his first day off, and he had not spoken to Tokio since Serizawa's death. It wasn't something that people would have thought would have bothered him, but he was bothered. She had apologised to him, although she had no cause to. Not so far as he was concerned anyway - others might have thought it wholly inappropriate for a young lady to have made such comments as she had, but as it was, he found the etiquette of interaction between men and women, and the rituals of over politeness quite ridiculous. He turned the corner. The street was deserted. The moon had just risen above the rooftops, the gold moon of Autumn nights, and it had started to wane. He was early - not that he had any definite notion as to whether she'd be out tonight. She shouldn't be out tonight, not with the current state of violent tension in Kyoto, and especially because she was a high-born lady of Aizu.

'High-born lady of Aizu...' Saitou exhaled shortly and impatiently. It rankled on his nerves, that in ordinary circumstances, they would never have been permitted to meet. This class system was something that might be better off abolished. She had talked about wanting a little bit of freedom. Women, he had to admit, had a raw deal compared to men. So many constraints, so many restrictions, so many who were beaten into submission. He wondered what would have happened if he had not happened upon Tokio that first night. Would she have had the courage to go all the way to the river on her own? He didn't doubt she had, but what might have happened to her wasn't a worry that could be easily dismissed. He frowned. He wasn't used to worrying about anyone. 'I have a debt to her father, it is not inappropriate for me to concern myself over the well being of his children,' he told himself.

The gate slid open. There she was, clad in monk's garb and hat in hand, cautiously looking out onto the street. She saw him leaned against the wall some paces away. She smiled guardedly before bowing.

"Takagi-san, I really don't think it's a good idea to be out of your quarters tonight," said Saitou, raising an eyebrow.

"Saitou-sama, good evening. And I would appreciate it if you would let me go... I hear only reports and rumours, and I need to know... It is imperative that I see for myself the present state of Kyoto. I must write to my father in Edo. Please, let me pass."

"... You actually want to see for yourself how dangerous the nights of Kyoto have become?" He remarked in a low tone. "Ahou. Your reports and rumours should be enough to tell you that this is no time for a young lady to be walking the streets."

She bowed deeply, and did not raise her head. She kept her head low, and her eyes on the ground. Her face was set.

"Stubborn girl, don't you think that your father cares more for your safety than receiving reports?" His voice was sterner.

Finally, she looked up.

"Saitou-sama, in truth, I am terrified. There have been so many reports of conspiracies recently. There has been rumour of a new assassin, whose mission is to wipe out all those that oppose Choushuu. They say that he is invincible. Every night, blood rains on the streets, and war is threatening to tear apart our land... I am terrified, and yet I must know..."

Saitou scrutinized her through narrowed eyes. For someone who claimed to be terrified, her voice was very even. But was it the light of the waning moon, or was she paler than usual?

"Fine," he said brusquely, "fine, you'll go out, I'll go with you,and we shall take a look around, and once you see how dangerous these nights are, then it should be a good lesson for you, and make you regret that you ever thought of sneaking out."

She smiled a brave little smile.

"Thank you very much, Saitou-sama, I am very much obliged... But just one thing..."

"What?" he asked in a sharp tone.

"I do not think it suitable to refer to a member of the Takagi household in such terms as 'ahou'."

"Ahou ga."


That night, they did not head towards their usual spot on the banks of the river, but crossed it, and walked towards the centre of the city. Despite the recent disturbances, people were still out on the streets, albeit a little warier, and those who had swords had them closer at hand. The sounds of merrymaking came from the ryoutei where large parties dined, and men carried palanquin carriages for those who could afford them. Saitou glanced down at Tokio. Although she was wearing her straw hat deep, he knew that if people bothered to take a closer second look, they would notice that here was an unusual monk. The strange thing was, people didn't bother to look twice. A monk was not someone people were interested in, it seemed.

He stopped abruptly. A movement down a side street had caught his eye. He raised his hand, and Tokio stopped beside him. He took another look. There. There was one of three Choushuu roushi who had escaped from the Terada-ya the other night. He narrowed his eyes. The other man didn't seem to have noticed his presence. The other two might be nearby too. He considered his next move. The man was leaving one of the buildings.

"Takagi-san, do not follow too closely behind me, but don't fall too far back that I won't be able to reach you in time if need be." She nodded. "That is, if you want to observe," he added maliciously. If the stubborn girl wanted to see blood, let her see blood.

He quickened his pace, following the man around the corner into another narrow street. The man looked back, saw Saitou, and started to walk faster. He looked back at the next street corner, and seemed to confirm what he had feared - he was being pursued.

"You there. Stop. State your business. Why are you following me?"

"Saitou Hajime, Shinsengumi." The man's face turned a nasty colour. "I'd like you to answer a few questions, such as where the other two who escaped from Terada-ya are."

"Shinsengumi, dog of Tokugawa! You dare threaten me! The Bakufu are finished, and you'll drown with them!" He drew his sword.

"Hmph. If all the men of Choushuu are like you, I assure you, we have nothing to worry about. Don't try my patience, Ogura. Where are Arakida and Kusunoki?"

The man Saitou had called Ogura did not answer, and charged at Saitou with a yell. Saitou, checking where Tokio was out of the corner of his eye, deflected it to the side. Tokio, he could see, was standing some twenty-odd paces behind him. Saitou raised his sword, and before Ogura had time to react, brought it down swiftly on his right arm. Ogura shrieked in pain, his right arm amputated just above the elbow.

Saitou could hear people in the houses lining the street. They had heard Ogura's screams and were arguing whether to investigate it or hide. In a house to his left, a little behind him, he heard the slamming of shouji, and people jumping down stairs. Then two people ran out of the front door and onto the street: Arakida and Kusunoki, the other two Choushuu men he was looking for.

"Ogura!" They shouted in horrified surprise.

"Run! It's the Shinsengumi!" Ogura snarled, obviously in great pain. The two men looked at Saitou with wrath and loathing in their eyes. They did not run, but both drew their swords instead.

"No! Run!" Ogura shouted again.

"To flee before the enemy is hardly the embodiment of samurai spirit, is it?" Saitou mocked them. He struck his sword into Ogura's ankle. Ogura screamed in pain again. Arakida and Kusunoki both tensed. Kusunoki, looking around, saw Tokio standing behind them.

"You, monk, get away from here!"

Tokio did not move. Kusunoki looked closer – and was taken aback.

"You're not a monk! You're a woman! And you're probably with him!"

He charged at her. Saitou snarled, and charged towards Kusunoki. Arakida tried to stall him, but was cut down with a brutal slash. Blood splattered over the fences of the houses. Kusunoki's sword clashed against Tokio's staff. It was a slender metal rod such as all monks had, and she was doing all she could to keep it between her body and Kusunoki's sword. Saitou lunged at Kusunoki. In an unexpected move, he had transferred his sword to his left hand, and he thrust it horizontally through Kusunoki's back, through his stomach with great force.

"Ahou. To turn your back on me, and to attack a woman who was unarmed."

He swiftly withdrew his sword from Kusunoki's body. Kusunoki crumpled to the ground, bleeding to death. Saitou glanced at Tokio. She had a slight graze on her arm where she fell when Saitou had charged at his enemy, and the blood had drawn completely from her face, she had lost her hat, but other than that, she seemed fine.

"Ha...hah.aha.huh," Kusunoki laughed weakly while coughing up large quantities of blood. "...It doesn't matter, anymore, you can't win... Won't be able to beat the... Die at the hands of..." He hacked up more blood. "Choushuu is right, we will prevail... The Battousai will have your heads..."

Saitou looked at him in distaste. The Battousai? There were many who styled themselves Battousai. Which one could have joined the ranks of Choushuu? He looked at Tokio. She had mentioned rumours of a new assassin. And it was true that there had been a few deaths recently linked to a very highly skilled and as yet unidentified swordsperson. He looked back down at Kusunoki. Kusunoki took a last few rattling breaths, and then stopped. His eyes remained opened, glazed over. Ogura was still moaning in pain, and bleeding heavily from the stump which used to be his right arm.

"You can end your life here, or wait to be taken back to Shinsengumi headquarters. Unless you are in the mood to divulge information about Choushuu's conspiracies, I recommend the former." Saitou called out over his shoulder. He wouldn't last long anyway, not with the amount of blood he was losing, and he certainly couldn't go far with that ankle. Saitou walked over to Tokio. He extended his hand to her, which she grasped, then rising to her feet. Her extended fingers, though trembling, or because they were trembling, looked oddly graceful and pretty. Some colour had returned to her cheeks, but she still looked wan. Her monk's garb was ruined, covered in blood. She picked her hat off the ground. That was also splashed with scarlet streaks.

"Have you had enough excitement for one night?" He asked her harshly.

She should not have come tonight, he should not have let her. She bowed, and murmured,

"... So the Shinsengumi not only have the reputation of wolves, but their fangs also..."

"Hmph."

"... This is not the first time you've killed..."

"...You know that it's not..."

Saitou went back to the main street and called over a boy holding a lantern. He instructed him to find the Shinsengumi patrol and to tell them that Choushuu roushi Arakida and Kusunoki were dead and Ogura heavily injured, and that he would join them as soon as he had seen to a few things. He then turned to Tokio, who nodded and started walking after him. They started to head back to Koumyouji. Tokio remained silent as they walked.

'She's probably in shock...' Saitou didn't blame her. After all, she was a well brought up young woman, and these were scenes far removed from her everyday life. Still, she had not gotten in his way, and she had not gotten herself killed. As they drew near the temple compound, Saitou addressed her in a wry voice.

"Takagi-san, see why it's not such a good idea for a young lady like yourself to be walking around at night."

She bowed her head.

"I can't always be around to protect you."

She smiled weakly.

"But you will try..." It was a statement, not a question. Saitou gave a short, derisive snort. "Thank you, Saitou-sama, for tonight. I am very much obliged. If there is anything in return that is in my power to grant, please tell me. It is the least I could do..."

"Well then, from now on, you'll stay within the Koumyouji compound at night."

She tilted her head to the side, the better to look up at him from beneath her hat.

"... If that is what you want." She looked him straight in the eye. He couldn't hold her gaze for long. They stopped walking - they had reached the side gates of the Aizu headquarters. She slid open the gate and bowed.

"Goodnight, Saitou-sama. Please, take care of yourself." She started to close the gate.

"Takagi-san," Saitou spoke before he had really thought about what he was going to say. She paused, the gate half closed, and looked at him questioningly. "Takagi-san, you may walk out at night on my days off." Tokio smiled a smile to erase all the horrors of that evening. "But you may want to change that outfit. The people of Kyoto may not be so interested in a monk, but they will certainly notice one covered in blood." With that, Saitou stalked off into the night, leaving her to frown in disgust at her soiled clothes.

Sincere gratitude to all those who read and reviewed the story. I'm so glad that someone besides myself is taking an interest in this, so thank you all very much! And do keep the reviews coming: all cc welcome. Though I'm not sure that anyone has been really waiting for this with bated breath, I apologise for the delay (I was travelling, in Ireland and then in Mexico).

1. Aizu han oazukari: meaning in service to the Aizu-han. This is how the Shinsengumi introduced themselves in official matters.

2. The Battousai, of course, is Himura Kenshin. Just so's people are forewarned, he will be making an appearance in later chapters. (I think.)

3. Just a note about the dates in general. There's some confusion as to the exactness of the dates I'm using. As it is, I'm using various sources, with various timelines (confusion between the old Eastern calendar and the modern Western calendar), so I've used the dates that suit this storyline best. However, I am trying to keep the main historical events as accurate as I can. My only concern is that it’s a bit too much history for mainstream readers...
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