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The Courtship of Lady Tokio

by Misaki Toyodome

Chapter 10 - Hitokiri Himura Battousai

23rd May 1864 -

"Hijikata-san, you aren't serious when you say that you're going to search our rooms as well, are you?"

"Souji, I've told you already. We've already been through the regular troops quarters, so now we do the executive rooms. Nobody is above suspicion, otherwise we'd be guilty of favoritism."

"But Hijikata-san, I'm sure everyone will protest. I mean, I know that I have nothing to hide, but do you really suspect the people who traveled all the way from the Shieikan with you?"

"Get out of the way Souji."

Hijikata shoved Okita aside, and although Okita grumbled a little, he let his older friend pass. The Vice Commander was searching for evidence of infiltrators – he was sure there was a leak somewhere, and it made him furious. For the last couple of weeks, radical Choushuu groups had been forewarned of their patrol routes, and had been able to escape or lie in ambush. And Hijikata would be damned if he couldn't find the source of the leak.

Okita's room was bright and "a tad untidy" with a book, some children's toys ("I was playing with the children in the neighbourhood") and an old box of letters from his sisters on the floor. Hijikata sneered. For all that Okita had come to be feared for his sword, he had some childlike quality that was hard for people to dislike. Hijikata opened the oshi-ire: some futons, and a few blood stained rags.

"Souji, what are these?" Hijikata asked accusingly, gingerly lifting the soiled cloths.

"Aah, hai hai, I had a nose bleed earlier on from eating too much youkan, and I couldn't be bothered cleaning them straight away so I stuck them in there." Hijikata grunted in annoyance. "I promise I'll wash them later. Are you satisfied with your search?"

Hijikata really couldn't be bothered looking anymore – in any case, Okita was the last one he'd suspect, after himself. Stomping out of the room, he made his way to the next one. Saitou Hajime's room. His room was sparse, and gave away absolutely nothing about the man who resided there. Hijikata opened the small chest of drawers, which was the only piece of furniture in the room besides the writing table. Among the neatly folded clothes, he discovered a wooden box, undecorated but polished, a fine piece of craftsmanship. He opened that, and found a sheaf of letters.

"Ano, Hijikata-san, I'm not sure that it's such a good idea to go through Saitou-san's personal correspondence." Okita sounded slightly worried.

"Souji, when I say that nobody is above suspicion, it means that nobody is above suspicion. Letters are probably among the most suspect items of all." In fact, Hijikata was curious. Saitou was such an austere person, and did not confide in anyone about his personal life. He was respected within the Shinsengumi for his swordsmanship which was legendary at this stage, and for the fact that he seemed to be the model samurai, and he was liked, if not for his manners and temperament, for the fact that he could drink most people under the table. But he remained an enigma. A trustworthy one, but an enigma nonetheless.

He opened the first letter. 'Takagi Tokio... Matsudaira-kou's scribe?' Surely not. There must be some mistake. He sorted though the rest of the pages. There must be some explanation...

When Saitou came back from duty, he found Hijikata waiting for him in his room, with Tokio's letters placed in front of him. He stepped into the room, he closed the shoji, sat down cross legged opposite the Vice Commander, and he glared at him through narrowed eyes, though trying to conceal the extent of his anger.

"... Is it not against the way of the samurai to invade one's privacy and go through his personal effects?" The first rule of the Shinsengumi: one must abide at all times by the code of Bushido, or commit seppuku.

"Not for the sake of maintaining order within the organization, especially when there are spies within our ranks." Hijikata disciplined the members with an uncompromising iron fist. He was ruthless when it came to ordering the Shinsengumi.

"I am not a spy." Saitou stated simply, though if looks could kill...

"No, you're not. But this is unacceptable conduct on the part of one of our executive leaders."

Saitou snorted in extreme aggravation.

"This conduct has been nothing inappropriate. And I fail to see how her letters make me an incompetent member of the Shinsengumi. Especially seeing as how it was all one-sided. I never replied."

"So it would seem." Hijikata studied Saitou warily. It would be a long time, he realized, before Saitou forgave him. "Do you have any idea what the implications would be if this were to come to the notice of the Aizu-han?"

"I know her father." Came the curt retort.

"You know her father because you killed a man that you shouldn't have. Her father helped you escape a murder trial by sending you to Kyoto with us. And now, again without any regard for rank or class, you are engaging in a clandestine affair with a lady who is far above you in station."

Saitou felt his insides boil. 'Clandestine affair? Walking around at night with her dressed as a monk? And that fool in Edo had it coming.' But he did not say this, and instead commented,

"I didn't think that rank or class were of significant importance to the Shinsengumi."

Anyway, she was engaged to be married, to a man high above him in rank, and for important political motives.

"Saitou, we can't afford to lose face with Aizu. Bear that in mind." Hijikata pushed the letters back to Saitou. "And I don't want to know how you two met, or how this came about, I've a feeling that it'll cause me an unbearable headache. Though I am glad that she decided to end the correspondence. It was for the best."

Saitou felt his insides churn again. He felt he could have run Hijikata through with his sword there and then, except that it was too irrational an action for such a logical man.

"Not that I blame you, Saitou. She seems to be...an interesting person."

With that, Hijikata stood up to walk out, leaving Saitou alone to dwell on his resentment, and his justifications as to how Hijikata had completely misread the situation. Saitou would proceed to get very, very drunk in Gion that night. He even spent the night with Kohana, who seemed determined to have this man whom she couldn't seem to tame, and who smiled triumphantly at getting her way at long last. So much for rationalism and logic.

"Okita, hey, don't you think that Saitou's changed?" Harada sounded tetchy. Okita looked at Saitou, who seemed determined to drown himself in drink.

"Harada-san, are you sure you're not just feeling resentful because he drank you under the table last night?"

"What! Him? Drink me under the table! Where were you looking last night you brat!"

"At you when you passed out as Saitou-san continued to knock back his shots." Okita nimbly dodged the punch that Harada had aimed at him. Saitou was acting more violent, and more taciturn, and a good bit more self-destructive than before, but then again, Saitou had never been the easiest person to get along with. Besides, Okita had a feeling his recent mood had something to do with the letters that Hijikata had found in his room. And Okita was not going to divulge that information to Harada. No, such information was best kept to himself, and then maybe used to blackmail Saitou at a later date. He wondered how much youkan he could get if he did.

"And why the hell did he get together with Kohana, after all this time? He couldn't stand her! And he still barely says two words to her, but stays all night in her room after hours!"

"Harada-san, I told you, you're just jealous."

"Okita, c'mere and I'll beat the crap out of you."

Just as Harada reached out to grab Okita, the younger man was racked by a fit of coughing.

"Uurrrgghhh! Gross Okita!" Harada wailed in disgust as he watched Okita cough up phlegm into his hand. Okita frowned at Harada, and then stretched out his hand towards him. "Argh! Get back, stay away! That's so disgusting!" Harada shrieked and shied away from Okita who looked like he thought this was a great game. The more Harada squealed and tried to run away, the more Okita laughed. An empty sake bottle came flying across the room, and hit Harada right on the forehead.

"Ahou ga."

Saitou was still somewhat drunk as he headed out to patrol that night. His troop members, who were unused to seeing their leader not in full control of himself, felt slightly uneasy. 'Fools. As if some alcohol would prevent me from carrying out my duties,' Saitou said to himself scornfully. They had been out for nearly an hour when they saw a group of swordsmen making their way up the street towards them. The fact that they stopped, unsure as to whether to continue on or change direction, aroused Saitou's suspicion. Saitou narrowed his eyes. The smallest member of the group, wearing a large hat, seemed familiar...

"Kinjou, go and find Okita's troop and inform them that we have a group of Choushuu roushi, among them being Himura Battousai." Kinjou bowed and ran. "The rest of you, the one with the hat is mine. Be sure not to let the others escape."

The other group, seeing Kinjou run off, made up their minds. The man wearing the hat stepped forward, as the rest turned around and dashed off.

"Now!" Saitou snarled. His men made off after the men. His small opponent tried to head them off, but Saitou rushed in front of him, sword drawn. "Himura Battousai, we meet again."

"... I don't have time to be playing with you, Saitou Hajime." More a boy than a man, he removed his hat. Long red hair bound in a severe ponytail, a scar marring his left cheek.

"Of course not. Who's in line for assassination today, eh, Battousai?" Saitou asked in a vicious tone of voice. His opponent did not respond. Saitou charged swiftly towards him. Himura jumped several feet into the air, and brought his sword down with immense force. Saitou barely had time to block it.

"I see that the Shinsengumi lieutenant is in the mood to die tonight." Himura's deadpan voice gave away no emotion.

"This Shinsengumi lieutenant is in the mood to kill tonight, rather." Saitou corrected. He charged again. He felt in the mood for blood. This time, it was Himura who barely dodged the attack – the corner of his left sleeve fluttered to the ground. Saitou grinned maliciously. "See, Battousai, I fight you, because I believe it to be for the greater good. You assassinate people, hence you cause fear among the people of Kyoto, and with such fear, one cannot live in peace. So in order to establish peace, and law and order, we must eliminate you. For what do you fight, Battousai?"

Peace – she believed in peace, and she would dedicate her future to it, sacrificing her happiness.

Himura did not answer. Saitou charged down at him again, and this time, Himura's sword caught him on the counter attack. A sharp pain pierced his left side. Undaunted, he kicked out at the other man. His leg just barely missed the other's sword, and made contact with Himura's body. He went skidding across to the other side of the road. Without pausing for a split second, Saitou caught up with him, and brought his sword down. Too late, as Himura leapt up and swung his sword in a side sweep aimed at Saitou's neck. Saitou caught the blade with the palm of his left hand, and barely stopped it, though blood streamed from his palm as he did so. Himura jumped back a few paces, and Saitou licked his bleeding palm.

"... You nearly lost a hand there..." Himura's eyes were scrutinising him.

"Hmph. That's hardly any of your concern." Saitou's tone seemed to suggest that he had done nothing more than nearly lose a few coins.

"... What is it, what is it tonight that makes you so rash?" Himura seemed amused. "Do you really want to be throwing away limbs like that? What's triggering this careless attitude?"

"Careless? I'd call it fearless."

"Whatever." It was Himura who charged first this time. Steel clashed with steel, glinting in the moonlight like streaks of lightning. "You won't beat me unless you stay calm, you know, and you are far from calm tonight." Saitou growled furiously. Himura continued to taunt him. "And is that sake I smell on your breath tonight? Is that why you fight, Saitou? Because you're drunk? Is that the great ideal which you set before me?" Saitou lashed out, and Himura jumped away just in time. Both stood apart for a few moments, glaring at each other, trying to find a weakness, trying to gauge the other's stance. Abruptly, Saitou crouched, sword in his bleeding left hand, held horizontal and parallel to the ground.

"Battousai, I told you, I fight for peace." He charged with unexpected speed. Himura did not have the time to react fully, and he felt the blade pierce his garments on his right side before he pulled away and deflected Saitou's weapon upwards.

"Saitou-san!" A voice called out, and there was the sound of men approaching at a run. Himura sprang back a good few yards. It would not do to have to engage a whole company of the Shinsengumi tonight. "Aaah! It's the Hitokiri Himura Battousai!" Okita's voice would have made people think that he was running into a long lost friend.

"Saitou-san, it's not fair, you've been having all the fun while we've been doing all the work!" Okita started to draw his sword.

"Okita-kun," Saitou called to him with a malicious smile, "don't you think it's a little unfair to challenge him two against one? And I was here first." Himura grimaced. He had to find a way out of this situation, and fast. That Okita's troop were here meant his colleagues had been caught, or followed at least to their destination. He couldn't linger here. He launched himself high into the air, using one of the walls as extra leverage. The others down below looked surprised at how high he flew.

"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu, Doryuusen!" The Shinsengumi men ducked and covered their eyes as clods and large stones flew towards them from the destroyed road surface. By the time the air had cleared, they could see him leaping from rooftop to rooftop, and then jump down into a side street and disappear from view.

"Well, that was unexpected." Okita seemed happily surprised. "I've never seen a move like that before."

"Hmph." Saitou flicked the blood off his sword – it seemed that his last attack had made contact with Himura's flesh after all – and resheathed it. "I presume that you were able to find the other men."

"Aah, yes yes, they disappeared into the Furutaka store a few blocks from here. I think they think they'd managed to lose us before they did, but we're sure that that's where they're hiding out." The Furutaka store; Okita hadn't pursued them any further because officially, the Furutaka store supplied to several of the large regional headquarters in Kyoto. If it was at the Furutaka store that the Choushuu Ishinshishi were meeting, then they would have to have more proof and more preparation before they could act.

"Saitou-san, we'll be heading back to Mibu now, but if you want to go drinking, then I'll report in for you." Okita smiled innocently. Saitou smirked.

"And have you claiming the credit for my actions tonight? Hardly."

"Saitou-san, as if I would ever do such a thing!" Okita sounded injured and indignant.

"As if you wouldn't."

"Saitou-san, your hand is bleeding."

"Okita, it is the prerogative of the fool to point out the obvious."

"So, it's the Furutaka Store." Hijikata looked from Saitou to Okita. Okita nodded.

"We saw them enter the compound through a side gate, and although the master denied any such thing, we're sure that that was their destination."

"I'll have Yamazaki find out as much as he can." He frowned. Choushuu were planning something big. He knew it. Glancing at Saitou, who seemed supremely unconcerned about the whole affair, he grimaced.

"And what the hell do you think you were doing, fighting the Battousai! Eh Saitou?"

"Fighting the Battousai," was Saitou's reply.

"Saitou-san, it is the fool's prerogative to point out the obvious, did you know?"

Saitou glared at Okita.

"Saitou! This is serious. You nearly lost the use of your hand. You're lucky that you didn't cut any tendons or nerves, you idiot! What the hell possessed you to grab his blade!"

"It was grab his blade or detach my head, and I'm quite attached to it. In fact, hitherto, we've been inseparable."

"Saitou, this isn't the time for bad jokes! Have you forgotten what we're doing in Kyoto? What the Shinsengumi's mission is!"

Saitou looked at his vice-commander coolly.

"I'm fighting for peace."

Hijikata snorted.

"So long as you haven't forgotten," he remarked sardonically.

Peace. He would fight for peace. 'And she won't even have to marry me,' he thought to himself with bitter humour.

"Peace? With Saitou-san around! Ahahaha!" Okita doubled over into a fit of laughter.

"Souji!"

Saitou merely gazed out into the garden, the familiar inscrutable amber of his eyes reflecting the moon. He had sobered up. 'Hitokiri Battousai...' It had been an amusing diversion, he thought. It had taken his mind off the things that were troubling it, if only for a brief while. 'The next time, he will not escape so easily...