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The Courtship of Lady Tokio

by Misaki Toyodome

Chapter 18 - Of Tea and Other Tactics

The sun had yet to rise when Saitou and Okita, who had in tow a man bound, gagged and looking most uncomfortable, quietly walked through the gates of the Mibu compound. The guards on duty bowed to them, but did not comment – they were well aware of Saitou's taciturn ways, and Okita, though usually approachable, seemed to be in odd form tonight (he was wearing a bell around his neck). They made their way to Hijikata's room, having left their captive in the custody of the troops on duty, and there they found Hijikata glaring wordlessly at Tokio, who looked up at them blankly at first, but quickly broke into a smile when she saw who they were.

"How was it?" Hijikata asked in a slightly stressed voice. Saitou's gaze moved quickly over Tokio first, and then to Hijikata, and he nodded. Okita would do the talking.

"There were eleven of them. We brought one of them along so you could have some fun, Hijikata-san."

"Souji, it's hardly fun now, is it? And what the hell are you doing with that bell?" Hijikata snorted in annoyance, accompanied by the thought 'bloody kids'.

"Miaow."

Saitou almost rolled his eyes at the irrepressible mannerisms of his colleague.

"It's nice, isn't it Tokio-san? This is what we used to get those bad guys!" Tokio hid a smile behind her hand but did not stifle her chuckle.

"A bell, Souji?" Hijikata furrowed his brow.

"Yep. A most invaluable tool in our work for Aku Soku Zan!" Okita made a stern face and took a fighting pose, and this made Tokio laugh a little more.

"Will you be known as the Mibu Cat from now on, Okita-sama?" She teased.

"Souji! You, come with me!" Hijikata sounded exasperated and slightly frayed as he stood up to leave. "I'll be asking some questions of our prisoner." He eyed Saitou for a moment, though neither man's face gave anything away, and then walked out of the room, marching Okita in front of him.

As they left, they could be heard talking in the corridor.

"Damn it, Souji, will you ever stop messing around, and grow up?"

"Hijikata-san, don't you know? I'm never going to grow up!" Okita's voice rang out mirthfully in the heavy silence of early morning.

Saitou and Tokio regarded each other for a moment. She bowed, without breaking eye contact, and murmured,

"Otsukare-sama deshita."

He did not reply, but continued his silent scrutiny, and she did not break his gaze. Hijikata had seemed more than slightly put out when they had arrived back – yet here she was, the model of decorum.

"Please, I know that you have had a long night," she continued in a halting voice after a while, "and I feel guilty that it is on my account. Please do not concern yourself with me, you must rest. You must be tired."

"I'm not the one who was beaten, bound, and almost blown up. You, why aren't you resting yet?"

"... Hijikata-sama and I had quite an...interesting conversation." She said in a bemused voice.

"Hmph. I'd say that could have been a worse ordeal than your kidnapping." He made no effort to conceal the displeasure he felt at the thought of Hijikita's prying. There was little point, he had realised, in hiding anything from her.

"Well, he did manage to keep me on my toes."

"Typical."

"And also, he was rather interested in my letters." She added mildly, but it had the desired effect. Those that knew how to look for the signs would have noticed that Saitou flinched – that slight contraction of the lines of his sharp eyes, the near-blink and momentarily clenched jaw. He looked at her, but she was carefully concealing all signs of anger, disappointment, embarrassment, or any clue as to how she had reacted to Hijikata's obtrusive intrusion. She simply inclined her head a little, and looked down at the floor.He looked at her, and saw how carefully she had brushed her hair to hide the wounds on her head, and arranged her clothes to wrap her sore wrists and ankles out of sight, and tried to veil the bruises of her heart.

"I didn't tell anyone about those, you know," he said in a seemingly unconcerned way.

"... I know." Her voice was almost a whisper. It wasn't so much that Hijikata had found out that had caught her, but rather the fact that he had tried to use her feelings against her. Tactics. What she felt for Saitou had been reduced to mere tactics by the pettiness of a man who should really know better.

Saitou continued to watch her for a while, but she did not look up. Presently and abruptly, he stood up, and slightly startled, Tokio watched him walk over to the oshi-ire and start to pull out some futons. He turned around and, in answer to her unspoken question, said,

"You need to rest, and it obviously slipped the Vice Commander's mind."

"But are those not Hijikata-sama's?" She looked concerned.

"Don't worry, they're clean." Unlike his tactics, Saitou thought. But the futons were clean – Hijikata was neurotic about such things.

"He will be inconvenienced... Will he not?" She looked pretty in the pale light of dawn when she bit her lip like that.

"That, Tokio-san, is the point."

18th August 1864

"Saitou, that Takagi girl is a righteous pain." Hijikata appeared to be in a gruffer mood than usual. Saitou's lip twitched slightly. "Here." He snapped a letter towards Saitou.

"From Koumyouji?" Saitou's left eye narrowed ever so slightly.

"Hmph. You'd swear that the Shinsengumi executive had nothing better to do than to attend tea parties, the way they put it."

It was a letter from Koumyouji, requesting the attendence of Hijikata, Kondou, Saitou and Okita to a tea ceremony, hosted by Matsudaira-kou and performed by Takagi Tokio. It was, according to the text, an informal meeting during which to express the gratitude of Aizu for their recent services. It was an honour to be invited to such a ceremony, but also an unwelcome one as far as Hijikata was concerned. The Shinsengumi were not gentlemen – not many of them anyway – and Hijikata (as well as Saitou) felt ill at ease with these rituals of decorum and etiquette.

"If they want to thank us, they should just give us more funds. That Takagi girl..." Hijikata glanced at Saitou and gave an irritated grunt. Saitou suppressed a smirk. He remembered how annoyed Hijikata had been when he found Tokio asleep in his room.

"And of course, we can't possibly refuse – that would be an insult to both Aizu and to Chado." Hijikata stood up grumbling. "Try and learn the ceremonial procedures before the day, Saitou. Don't embarrass us." With that he left the room.

Saitou was reading over the letter when Okita slid open the door.

"Hijikata-san? Ah, Saitou-san, did Hijikata-san already leave for his appointment with the Tea Master already?"

"Tea Master?"

"Yeah, for some reason, he started talking about learning Chado."

"... He just left." Hijikata, it seemed, was more nervous than he appeared about this whole affair.

20th August 1864, Koumyouji

When Kondou, Hijikata and Saitou arrived at Koumyouji, they were greeted in a more formal atmosphere than usual and shown to a part of the compound that they had never visited before. It was a small building, separated from the other wings of the temple. They were shown through the inner gate, through the garden, and into the courtyard. The softly murmuring brook, the gentle green of the Autumn moss and the swaying shadows of the bamboo – more so than the fence, these were the things that detached the Chashitsu from its surroundings. Everything was quiet, it was as though peace had fallen here one day long ago, and it would not rise again, despite the busy work that went on all around it at Koumyouji.

"Ah, Kondou-kun, you've arrived." Matsudaira Katamori greeted them with a benefactor's smile in the guest room. "May I introduce to you Lord Saigou Fuminori, of Satsuma, who has graced us with his company today."

"It is an honour to meet you, Saigou-sama." Kondou bowed low, and Hijikata and Saitou copied.

"Indeed." Saigou merely nodded.

Hijikata furtively glanced across at Saitou, and smiled to himself. He had purposely not told Saitou who else would be coming to this ceremony. Not that Saitou would show any obvious signs of mental upset, but this could be interesting.

As the men started to exchange pleasantries, Saigou and Saitou remained silent. Even after the kaiseki meals were brought in, and the customary admiration of the food began, Saigou barely acknowledged anyone besides Matsudaira, and Saitou acknowledged no one. They began their meals in muted style, and aside from the occasional murmur of appreciation, they had very little to say to each other.

"Matsudaira-kou, I trust that Lady Takagi is doing well now." Kondou had been feeling nervous since he arrived, and he tried to get conversation flowing more freely.

"She will be joining us after the meal in order to prepare the Tea. And we are all most grateful for her safe return."

"... Yes. I suppose I too must thank the Shinsengumi for the safety of my betrothed," Hijikata noticed Saitou's hand grip his dish harder than necessary, "though, if she had not been out of the compound in the first place, it would have been completely unnecessary." Saigou bared his bucked teeth.

"Hahaha, surely Your Honour does not blame the lady for going to worship at Kiyomizu? After all, it is Choushuu that is the problem." Kondou waved his hand, as if to emphasise just how much of a problem Choushuu was.

"Women have their place. It does not do for her to be gallivanting around."

"Well, I am sure that when she becomes part of your household, she will be in good hands." Matsudaira spoke mildly.

"Hmph. Of course. Though, I would appreciate it, Matsudaira-dono, if you could find another scribe from now until she leaves Koumyouji. After all, that is how she got involved in this mess in the first place."

"Come now, it was not her fault that she was abducted, and certainly she shouldn't be punished for it." Kondou interjected good-naturedly. "I don't know whether you are aware of the testimony of the criminals, but her wedding and the alliance between Aizu and Satsuma were the biggest factors in their motivation, not her activities at this court."

Saigou met Kondou's open smile with a snicker as he stroked his short beard.

"I suppose it may be acceptable for a peasant's wife to hold employment, but certainly not for a wife of the Saigou clan."

Kondou did not react, but Hijikata positively bristled, and Matsudaira, who was usually so imperturbable, tactfully steered their attention to the very excellent sake that had been brought in.

It was too late, however; with that Saitou rose, drew his sword and ran it right through the pompous face of the aristocrat who sat opposite him. The shattering of crockery echoed vaguely in his ears along with spluttering surprise which took his companions. Twisting his wrist, he rotated his blade, removing the lips of his antagonist – that smirk would not appear again. Finally, he withdrew his sword, and from the points of his strike, teeth and blood erupted all at once, drenching the horrified Hijikita in a fountain of viscera.

"Saitou-kun, some sake? ... Saitou-kun?" Nudging his colleague, Hijikita interrupted the trance-like state of Saitou Hajime, who after a moment to compose himself, accepted the drink proffered with his apologies.

"Pardon me. I was somewhere else."

Saitou did not meet Tokio until after the meal. Their trays had been carried away, a brief interval had been called, and he had asked to be excused for a moment. He stepped into the garden, and sighed a sigh of relief. Being stuck in such a formal situation with those dignitaries – it was stifling to say the least. Not to mention the fact that he felt tempted to run Saigou through with his sword. He absent-mindedly felt for the familiar weight at his left side, but then remembered that they had removed all their weapons before they had entered the Chashitsu. Bloody tea ceremonies. He heard footsteps approaching from the side of the building, and turning the corner was Tokio, her arms full of early Autumn flowers. She saw him, bowed, smiled at him as though she were sharing a big secret, and then disappeared into the entrance.

This, he told himself, was the reason he was enduring this tedium. He recalled the way she had looked as she slept. She had turned towards him as he watched over her, and she had reached out under the covers to grasp his hand before she had fallen asleep. He had listened to her steady and almost silent breathing, and with a phantom hand traced the curves of her cheekbones and chin. He had stayed by her side until Hijikata had walked in. It had amused him how appalled the vice-commander had been when he saw Tokio sleeping in his futon. After she had woken, rested and refreshed, he had arranged for her breakfast and some clean clothes and then walked her back to Koumyouji. He had in fact wanted to order a palanquin, unsure of how well she could walk, but she protested.

"My feet are only slightly bruised, and palanquins cost so much." She did not say that also, she would appreciate the time to walk with him alone for a while.

It had been nice to walk with her in the bright light of day. They slowed their pace as they neared the compound, and she asked whether they could stop for some tea. They entered a sweets shop, and she had laughed and smiled as they drank oshiruko, and it was hard to imagine that she had nearly lost her life just the day before. He enjoyed her company. She told him about what Hijikata and she had talked about, the politics, the possibilities, and haiku, and her letters. He enjoyed listening to her stories. As they reluctantly started to walk again, the thong of her geta snapped. As she fussed about what to do, Saitou calmly took off his own, and forced her to wear them.

"But you will need them," she had protested, and tried to give them back.

"Don't be unreasonable." He snapped, though not unkindly. "There's nowhere to get them repaired around here, and we're nearly there."

"They are too big."

"I am not going to carry you. They'll have to do."

"I didn't ask to be carried. Please, I'll find somewhere that they sell footwear."

"You know there's none around here. We'd have to walk about another twenty minutes. And without geta, you can't walk twenty feet, never mind twenty minutes. Stop being unreasonable."

"Most men would be glad to walk an extra twenty minutes with me."

"...Who the hell do you think I am?" His voice dropped dangerously. She would not coax him with such obvious tricks.

"... I apologise. You are not most men." Her cheeks coloured faintly.

"Hmph."

"But your feet then, what will you do?"

"Ahou."

"They'll get dirty."

"Ahou ga."

With that, he started to walk ahead. She started after him.

"But Saitou-sama!" She gave an exasperated sigh.

"Saitou-sama, these geta, they are so uneven, the left one is much lower than the right. Please, I'll stop somewhere..." He turned around.

"They're uneven?"

"Yes... Oh!" She gave a small exclamation.

"Oh what?"

"You did not notice."

"No." He looked down at her as she looked down at her feet, then looked at his feet.

"... So it is true? My father once told me that Samurai wear their left geta down much quicker because of the weight of the sword they carry at their side..."

"Hmph." He started to walk again. She hurried after him.

They walked along for a while in silence, he could feel the sharp stones of the street digging into his soles sometimes, and the uneven clip clop of his geta on her feet. She gave a small stumble, and he caught her shoulder. There was something both courtly and possessive about the way he gave her his arm then, and although his face gave away nothing, her shy and delighted smile, the downcast eyelashes on her blushing cheeks told of what they both were feeling. As they were about to turn the last corner, as she was just about to let go of his arm with a heavy heart, she felt his arms wrap themselves around her from behind, ever so quickly, ever so strongly, and he bowed his head to rest it on her shoulder. She whispered into the shell of his ear beside her cheek,

"No more last words."

With that, he had let her go. She had walked ahead, and he had watched her clip-clopping along from a few steps behind, and waited as she entered the gates, as the guards raised a huge commotion at her return, and officials came out to thank him profusely. After much bowing and much ado, he gave his excuses and insisted he return to Mibu. He stayed until she gave him one last fleeting glimpse before turning around and heading back.

When Saitou re-entered the Chanoma and took his place among the guests, the scroll in the alcove had been changed from the Buddhist calligraphy to an ink painting of the Autumn moon, and there were fresh flowers there too. Tokio's flowers. He would be the last to be served as the lowest ranking among the guests, and Saigou would be first. Saitou would dutifully try to ignore Saigou for the remainder of the afternoon. They all bowed low as Tokio slid open the door and entered. Saitou mentally braced himself – his patience with overly formalized manners was starting to wear thin, and the Tea Ceremony was the archetype of etiquette and custom. Hijikata also felt uncomfortable, and Saitou pursed his lips in amusement as he saw through the fact that Hijikata was rapidly running through the list of procedures in his head. She greeted each one present and they returned suit. It seemed like the preparation lasted an age, as she gracefully and methodically brought in the tea things and arranged them carefully. So much symbolism even in the least of movements. Using a fine silk cloth, she purified the cha-ire and chashaku. Hijikata was doing his best to retain all of the information he had garnered over the last few days – the process reflected the spirit of the host. He subconsciously registered that her level of concentration and meditation on the task was rare, even among his men. She started to heat the water, and one could only admire the poise of her movements. As she waited for the water to boil, Kondou nervously cleared his throat, and smiled at her.

"It is good to see that you are recovered, Ojou-sama." She bowed low in reply.

"Kondou-sensei, I owe the Shinsengumi my life more than twice now. It is a debt that I could not hope to repay in this lifetime."

Hijikata noticed that Saigou frowned.

"I am sorry that Okita-sama could not join us today. I hope that he is keeping well?"

This time, it was Hijikata that nearly flinched.

"Oh, Okita-kun came down with a cold. It is absolutely regrettable that he could not be here to pay his respects, but it is quite typical of him all the same."

Saitou and Tokio glanced at each other almost imperceptibly. Okita, it seemed, was catching a number of colds recently. Saitou's eyes hardened slightly when he realised that Tokio probably knew something of Okita's condition.

"The regret is all mine, Kondou-sensei, and I hope that you will allow me to pack some sweet things for him that you may take back as a get-well-soon gift."

"I know he would appreciate them very much, but please don't put yourself to so much trouble."

Hijikata felt like the pleasantries were clawing at his neck. A sharp cough rang out, and everyone glanced at its source – Lord Saigou did not look very pleased. Kondou lowered his head for a second, and all remained silent for a while. As Tokio started to lay out the tea sweets, Kondou spoke again, this time addressing Matsudaira-kou.

"My Lord," he smiled somewhat apologetically, "we really are most honoured that we were permitted to join you this day, and I do hope that you will not feel put out by our uncouth ways. The Shinsengumi are, after all, primarily considered with matters of the sword, and unfortunately have less time than we would desire to pursue the refinement of Chado."

"Kondou-san, a Samurai has absolutely no excuse for being a boor." Saigou cut in before Matsudaira could respond - the inference that Kondou was still a peasant. Matsudaira frowned ever so slightly. It was not Saigou's place to be insulting other guests, especially under the hospitality of Aizu. Much to Hijikata's fury, Kondou bowed again.

"Please, Kondou-sensei, there is no need." Tokio said in a gentle tone. "There is no need to worry so about the form of Chado. It is similar to the sword. Practicing the form will only improve the form. You may drink tea with form, but you may only savour it with the soul. The essence is to enjoy the tea, not to worry about the way you drink."

Matsudaira nodded, and Saigou gave a small grunt.

Hijikata was furious though. Tokio was right; there was no need for Kondou to bow. Yet, here was this man, this supposedly well-brought up man, an ally of Aizu, insulting them over a matter of birth rather than the men they were. Hijikata, at least, would not be content to be called a 'boor'. They sat in silence as they quietly chewed the colourful sweets and watched Tokio pour the boiled water into the tea bowl to heat it. It was an exquisite piece of pottery, just like the alcove was an exemplary example of fine taste. Still, this did not stop them from starting to feel a stiffness in their legs from sitting in the same position for an extended length of time.

Tokio gently whisked the green tea in the tea bowl, and she looked so at peace that one was almost reluctant to see her stop, and place it elegantly in front of Saigou.

"See how the colour of the tea delights in the essence of the bowl, and how the bowl embraces the union with the tea. Without the tea, the vessel is unremarkable, one bowl out of many. It is only when they are brought together that one can appreciate how they complement each other and are in harmony." She bowed as she finished her philosophical statement. Saitou felt a chill in his stomach; she was talking about herself, about her union to Saigou, and Saigou was looking pleased.

"You forget to mention though, Ojou-sama, that without the vessel, the tea is undrinkable. And at times, the bowl is an understated masterpiece, and the tea is made from second rate leaves." Hijikata commented in an unconcerned way but it earned him a scathing look from the man from Satsuma. Tokio bowed her head. Hijikata watched as Saigou drank – the Tea Master had explained how one could tell much from the manner in which someone took their tea. Saigou, for all that he was familiar with the trappings of the upper classes and accustomed to etiquette, was careless. It was a carelessness developed out of familiarity, but Hijikata narrowed his eyes as he saw the bored way in which Saigou went through the motions. 'Imagine, this is a man who dared to call us boors,' he thought spitefully. As the afternoon progressed, little conversation was made, but Hijikata acknowledged with a grudging respect that Matsudaira's ease at the ceremony was not due to over-familiarity but due to a state of meditation that came as second nature to the Lord. Kondou's frown on the other hand came from an intense concentration to learn all that he could and absorb as much as possible. It was not until Hijikata's turn that the conversation started again.

"Ah, Tokio-san, if only all our days were filled with such peace." Kondou let out a sigh of contentment, and of mild relief that he had bourne his part of the ceremony without embarrassment. Tokio's lips curved just a fraction, but not enough for her to stop her steady movements as she rinsed the bowl and started to prepare for Hijikata's serving.

"I do hope that your work becomes easier, Kondou-sensei, as that would mean that peace is once again returning to Kyoto."

"Choushuu are no match for us, not with the combined power of Aizu and Satsuma." Matsudaira nodded. "They are too weak now, and without them to be stirring up trouble, perhaps people will stop listening to the anti-Bakufu propaganda."

"Well, at least Choushuu are no match for Satsuma. Though I'm not sure that people will simply stop listening to anti-Bakufu statements merely because Aizu wish it." Hijikata's eyes widened slightly in surprise, and Matsudaira looked sharply at Tokio. It was such an unexpected statement, and she had said it so calmly and quietly.

"That is true, Tokio-dono, and I am glad you see it." Saigou looked thoroughly self-satisfied, and laughed shortly as though to congratulate himself on having found such a smart bride.

Saitou met the questioning glance of his commander, but both Kondou and he kept their silence. It was an accepted rule in the Shinsengumi executive that political wrangling would be left to Hijikata. Hijikata looked at Kondou, who met his eyes but did not move. Tokio calmly served Hijikata his tea. Hijikata received it, and carefully and deliberately examined the bowl as he rotated it. He did not speak until he had taken a sip.

"...Saigou-sama, actually you bring up an interesting point. When we first arrived in Kyoto, we did apply to the Satsuma headquarters to offer our services. Needless to say, we quickly saw that they were not required there, as the warriors of your land are proved mightier than even the tales tell."

Saigou visibly puffed up with smugness.

"It is true that Satsuma has not let its military prowess decrease."

Matsudaira's face had become expressionless during the last few minutes.

"However, the Shinsengumi were most honoured to be allowed to serve under the Lord of Aizu, Protector of Kyoto and its peoples." Hijikata gave a respectful bow to Matsudaira, who automatically responded.

"Ahaha, well, we all know, you know," Saigou wrinkled his nose and nodded conspiratorially, "I mean everyone is aware that the gesture was very important, the gesture of appointing a Protector. It was shrewd of the court to appoint Aizu though, as if Satsuma had been appointed, why, then, it would have been too much of a challenge to the Bakufu's power then. Still, an important gesture."

"An important gesture, but surely you're not implying that it was an empty one." Matsudaira spoke softly, but dangerously. Saitou watched with detached interest – so this was politics.

'No wonder that Tokio is the way she is, with this lot for company,' he thought.

"An empty one? Why, I never said such a thing. And I can assure you of your prominent position Matsudaira-dono, so long as you agree to continue working with Satsuma."

Matsudaira bristled at the veiled insinuation that Satsuma decided Aizu's fate.

"I for one will be honoured to serve the Saigou family, my Lord." Tokio addressed this not to Matsudaira, but to Saigou – it was surprising to say the least, that Tokio had acknowledged any other than Matsudaira as her liege. Saigou nodded sagely.

As Tokio began to pour the final serving of tea, and the recent exchange of words started to sink in and weigh on the minds of all present, Saigou frowned ever so slightly, as though regretting some of his statements. As she placed the tea in front of Saitou and bowed, Saitou caught her eye. He fancied she could read his thoughts. 'Superior, condescending, and an idiot to boot', Saitou had judged, 'and he looks like a goat'. And there she was, as serene as a still lake reflecting a cloudless sky.

Just as Saitou raised the bowl to his lips, a maid knocked lightly on the other side of the sliding door. Tokio bowed to excuse herself, and they could hear the maid relaying a message to Tokio in very hushed tones. As the maid's footsteps departed, Tokio re-entered the room. She bowed to Saigou and spoke very gently.

"I beg your pardon, my Lord. It was a message for you from the Satsuma headquarters, and it must be delivered immediately, I'm led to understand. It was to say that Sakamoto Ryouma is waiting for you to return, as he has urgent business to discuss regarding one Katsura Kogorou. They ask that you might leave as soon as this ceremony is concluded, and that you make no detours on your way."

As she bowed again, the colour drained from Saigou's face, and his eye quivered in fury and in anxiety.

"I am glad to be of service to my future husband."

Matsudaira looks seemed fit to kill. Kondou had nearly exclaimed out loud, but just managed to hold it in. After all, Sakamoto Ryouma was one of the most famous and influential individuals in Kyoto, and perhaps in Japan, not to mention that he was an anti-Bakufu rebel, and rumour had it that he had allied himself to Katsura Kogorou's band of Choushuu roushi. Hijikata nearly snorted in amusement – Saigou had been caught in the act of literally stabbing Aizu in the back. 'Typical,' was the thought that crossed Saitou's mind, though he had problems swallowing his tea at that moment. Tokio, it seemed, had a habit of outsmarting people she did not care for.

The most awkward thing was that after Saitou had finished his serving, they had to remain civil to each other for the rest of the ceremony, which included light tea, as well as formalized compliments on the art of tea as well as the server, and it was not easy to keep a straight face as Saigou offered his sentiments on how he always viewed tea as a spiritual cleansing, and a form that required honesty and integrity, and how Tokio was an irreproachable hostess.

The click of the lock preceded the quiet sigh of the side-gate opening.

"That was a mean trick you played on Goat-Boy this afternoon."

Tokio jumped as a shadow came into her line of vision. The moon was waning and the night breeze was beginning to cool. She smiled as she saw the glow of amber eyes in the dark.

"Are you displeased with me? I am sorry if you are."

"Hmph. I'm not the one you should be apologising to. As I understand it, you single-handedly demolished the alliance between Satsuma and Aizu in one day." He drawled as he followed after her as she turned the corner.

"In one day? Sir, you do not give me enough credit for my labour." Her voice teased. "It took me all week to gather the information I needed, and it was a pure stroke of luck that Sakamoto Ryouma saw fit to pay a visit to Satsuma headquarters today."

"Well, so long as you don't feel guilty about the fact that you've probably pushed Satsuma and Choushuu into an alliance against Aizu now."

"Satsuma have been looking for a way to gain the upper hand over Aizu for so long now. It was better that Aizu knew." She set her jaw resolutely. The way she tossed her head made him smile.

"Your maid will be so upset. After all the trouble she went to for the preparations for the wedding."

She looked up at him, a faint frown on her brow.

"...Are you not happy for me?"

"Ahou."

Her heart gave an almighty start as he reached out to catch her shoulder and he gently pulled her in towards him. She took off the old monk's hat as she leaned into him, and every now and then, she caught him looking down at her. When was the last time she had been so happy? She could not recall.

"How are your wounds?"

"Healing nicely, thank you. But it will take a while. And I'll probably have a bald spot on my head, oh dear."

Saitou smirked, and then frowned.

"... Why on earth are you wearing those ridiculous things?" He sounded irritated at the uneven clip clop of her footwear.

"Because I like them."

"I thought you'd have new geta by now."

"I do."

"Then why are you wearing those."

"Because I want to."

"It's ridiculous."

"I'm not giving them back to you, just so you know." She spoke so gently, and he merely grunted in reply. "... It makes it easier for me to imagine you, walking around town, acting tough and pretending to be big and intimidating."

"Pretending?" She laughed in the face of his glare.

"You, Saitou Hajime, may be tougher than I think you are, but you are not half so tough as you like to think you are."

"Ahou ga."

She was incredibly happy, and so, for the first time in a long time, was Saitou, as they reached their old familiar spot on the same river bank, and watched the boats go sailing by. She would fall asleep after a while, refusing to go home, and she would not remember the way he picked her up, and carried her back, and crept into her quarters to lay her in her futon, she would never know how long he stayed watching her, nor that he brushed her forehead gently with his lips before he left as the roosters started to crow, but she would see the moonflower she had picked from the river was placed carefully by her pillow.