Standard disclaimers: We don't own Ruroken. We wish we did, but unfortunately 
Watsuki and some big name companies already have this privilege.


CHAPTER 2

Although it was past noon, the sun was still high in the sky, lending 
Kyoto a warm and comfortable autumn climate.
Some crows flew over them, preparing for the near winter, when they 
wandered through the city. The streets were lively at this time of day, 
but the mood was subdued, the threat of revolution and an insecure 
future tangible in the air. Seeing the swords in the hakama of the two 
brothers, people evaded them.

In spite of this, the two young men and their sister did not seem to be 
bothered about the uncomfortable atmosphere and the fear they caused,
for they had started to discuss the happenings earlier that day; Kenichiro 
was not someone who could forget things easily.

"It wasn't necessary to be so nasty to me, Tokio."

In response she just closed her eyes for a second, already prepared for 
this topic.
"You were the nasty one, Keni! Did the idea never occur to you that I wanted 
to answer for myself instead of being interrupted by you all the time?!"

Kenichiro suppressed a smile, knowing his sister good enough to tell that this
girlish capriciousness hid other emotions. A small teasing twinkle appeared in
his eyes. "I answered for you because I knew exactly that you would do 
everything in your powers to leave a bad impression on these guys. Don't even 
try to deny it."

She sighed deeply, realising that he knew her too well to buy her excuses. 
"Not that I'm admitting anything, Keni, but you really tried your luck with 
those answers", she told him seriously. "I have no interest in theatre, music 
or tea ceremonies, not to that extent you pretended and I doubt you could fool
them."

Registering her seriousness, he adopted to her.
"I know that, but I didn't wanted you to make a fool out of you."

"A fool out of me?" All of a sudden her expression saddened. "Keni? You 
know what I really want, don't you?"

Looking down on his sister and registering the somehow lost look on her face,
he felt his earlier cheerfulness fade away. "Yes." His voice sounded very 
gently. "And you must believe me that I'm very sorry, Tokio. Look, I don't 
want you to be unhappy, but I really have to do this. There is no way out."

She turned away from him, not saying a single word.

"Tokio!"

Still, she refused to look at him. "We have already spoken about it, 
and I've admitted that you are right, so please don't worry." For a 
moment she appeared lost in some old, probably sad memories, then she 
cheered up with the fierce exuberance and the steadiness that was so 
characteristic for her.
"Michi, say something! What is your opinion?"

Michinori shrieked up, obviously ignorant to the conversation between 
his siblings; he seemed to have thought of different things. 
"Leave me out of this, I have no opinion at the moment, I'm hungry." 

Tokio giggled about his confused face, her earlier sadness nearly forgotten.
Then she imagined the excellent meal that might be waiting for her and finally
got herself to smile again.
"I'm sure they have some Kyoto specialities at the Aoiya; it looked rather 
welcoming. What do you want to try?"

"Everything that is eatable and tasty." On Michinori's face appeared a 
wide grin when he imagined plates with delicious food in front of him. 

Kenichiro rolled his eyes, relieved that everything was back to the usual. 
"What a glutton! Is there something except eating you could think of? After 
lunch?"

Quickly Tokio interfered. "Later we could visit one of the shrines, I'd love 
to make a wish! I would prefer Fushimi Inari Taisha. You know, I've read about 
it and..."

"Oh hell, I give up, I have no objections", her eldest brother interrupted 
her. "And what are we going to do in the evening, Michi?"

A wide grin appeared on the other guy's face. "I would like to visit 
Gion-machi. It is not as famous as Shim-machi, but we could spent a nice evening 
there."

Tokio wrinkled her nose. "It is always the same with you." With a wink of her 
hand the girl clearly indicated what she thought of men who spent their 
evenings in the red-light districts of a city.

The brothers ignored her on purpose and went on planning the evening.
"We could afford a Geiko and later a courtesan." A dreaming smile spread over 
Michinori's face which did not go unregistered by his sister.

"MICHINORI!"

Kenichiro's glance seemed to disappear into the distance.
"Sounds like a good idea to me. Hey, want to join us, Tokio?" The last 
part of his remark was underlined by a teasing grin.

"KENICHIRO!" Turning away from them, the girl pretended to be indignant, but 
the two men knew their sister better and therefore Kenichiro was sure that she
wouldn't reject his following offer.

"You could watch the women there. I think the fashions of Kyoto and 
Osaka differ a bit, might be interesting", he went on innocently. 
"Maybe we could afford something you see?"

Like he had thought, Tokio instantly forgot about her being offended and began
to clap her hands enthusiastically, a behaviour, the brothers weren't able to 
suppress a loving smile about. Sometimes she was too predictable.

"Really?" She asked excited. "You would spent some money for me too?"

"Yep. We buy a guide later to see which Geiko and courtesan we can afford and 
sure enough there will be some money left."

Dreamingly Tokio thought of possibilities of spending the money.
"A new kimono? A new obi? I have seen some fans, I would like to have one! And
these sandals, I have seen on our way back from the temple, and...."

With calming movements of his hands, Kenichiro tried to stop her imagination.
"Slowly, slowly, Tokio. I didn't mean we can afford to buy you whole Kyoto!"

Starting serious but unable not to tease his sister Michinori butt in.
"Poor guy who takes her, Keni. The one from today didn't look like a rich, 
well-off man. I'm sure he hasn't enough money to afford her. After all, he is 
a samurai dependent on his organisation. He seemed to be one of these typical,
ascetic ones. First aim isn't money, first aim is thinking about oneself. 
An arrogant ass-hole!"

Tokio wasn't able to suppress her displeasure. "MICHINORI!"

Kenichiro took the hint and continued.
"You see, perfect for her. An arrogant ass-hole. I'm sure he will be able to 
handle her."

"KENICHIRO!" Inwardly she prepared for a very long speech about man and male 
stupidity, when her older brother stopped before a wooden house with a beige 
lantern and a black writing on it: The 'Aoiya'.

"Here we are. Let's go inside."

Tokio sighed deeply. Well, the speech would have been futile anyway.
Curiously, she followed her brothers into a small guest-room. Her black eyes 
narrowed when she registered that all the places at the few tables, which 
were separated from each other with paper-walls, seemed to be occupied.

Then she noticed a young girl in a waitress uniform who stared wide-eyed and 
adoring at Kenichiro and a little smile formed itself on her delicate lips. 
Well, it seemed like the goddess of fortune hadn't forget them at all.

Like Tokio had thought, it was just a matter of seconds until the girl stepped
forwards and addressed them by bowing politely, her eyes still on Keni's 
handsome face.
"You are very welcome in our restaurant, we hope you will enjoy your stay here."

"We are three persons." His cold, matter-of-fact voice seemed to impress the 
young girl even more for her puppy eyes still widened, expressing a deep 
fascination now.

"You are lucky, there is one free recess. I'm awfully sorry, but it is near the
kitchen", she told him lasciviously after she was able to speak again. 
"It might be a bit disturbing."

"We don't mind, no problem." Kenichiro gained his posture, ignoring her flirting 

completely.

Michinori leaned forward to Tokio's ears and whispered "This will be 
expensive." In agreement she just nodded; it was her impression, too.

While following the waitress and Kenichiro, she whispered back: "But we get a 
recess. You can always rely on Keni's impact on girls and young women."

The friendly face of Michinori darkened a bit, staring daggers in his brother's
back. "He still hasn't told me his secret."

An evil grin appeared on Tokio's delicate face. "This is god-given, Michi, 
you can't copy it", she started teasing her brother.

Before Michinori could even think of a response, the young girl stopped and 
pointed with her hand to a place where another girl of her age, also wearing a
waitress uniform, was kneeling with a little child beside her. 
"Here is your table."

The astonished look on the faces of the three siblings made her realize that 
something was wrong.
"Oh, excuse me, I'll fix it." She leaned forward to the other waitress and
started to discuss in a low voice while pointing to the three customers behind 
her.

The child, a little girl of no more than four years, started to move and 
looked around. She was very small and thin, but not overly so, her lively eyes
displaying youthful mischief and a quick perceptive faculty, but more 
importantly an unswerving innocence. She smiled widely at Tokio who couldn't 
help but smile back.
"Hello, young lady, how are you?"

"Fine." She stood up and started to run towards the two brothers and their 
sister, obviously not a bit intimated by the strangers. Curiously she looked 
up to them and began to giggle delighted. "I'm Misao, and who are you?" 

"What a cutie!" Tokio admiringly clapped her hands.

"She isn't a cutie, she is just like you in this age. She even looks a bit 
like you." Kenichiro stated with his usual cold tone.

Choosing to ignore her brother Tokio kneeled down in front of Misao, taking 
her small little hands in hers.
"I'm Tokio, nice to meet you, Misao-chan."

"One pain in the ass meets another pain in the ass!" Michinori grumbled.

"I heard that!" They both shouted at him, looked at each other in surprise and
then started to laugh.

Before Michi could even think of defending himself against the two 'pains in
the ass' the waitresses finished their discussion and the one who welcomed 
them indicated them to get seated. The other one stepped toward Tokio and Misao.

"Come on, Misao-chan, we go into the garden and see some flowers."

Obviously the little one did not like that idea for a stubborn expression 
appeared around her lips. "No! I want to finish my Origami first."

With an excusing look to the customers the waitress tried to convince the girl
nevertheless.
"See, Misao-chan, we have customers here and we need the place for them. We 
can finish the Origami back in the garden."

"No, I want to stay here." Misao stamped with one foot, a behaviour at which 
her keeper got more serious.
"Please, sweetie, our customers wish to enjoy their meal and don't want to be 
disturbed."

With big puppy eyes Misao shook her head. "But Tokio doesn't mind, Omasu! She 
isn't disturbed at all - or are you, Tokio?"

Tokio couldn't help but laugh about this lovely child who unknowingly used all
of her her girlish charms to convince five grown-ups.

"Of course I don't mind", she said and ruffled the little oneīs hair. 
"Come on, Misao, we will finish your Origami together."
She picked her up and sat her on the table kneeling beside her. 
Kenichiro and Michinori exchanged desperate glances but submitted into their 
fates and got seated. Taking a look to the young girl who had played with 
Misao, Tokio choose to addressed her.
"Please feel free to have a seat, too. It wasn't our intention to disturb your
business; we don't mind you joining us."

Faster then lightning the girl kneeled down beside Kenichiro as close as 
possible. "Thank you very much, I'm Okon."

"I'm pleased to meet you, Okon-san. These are my brothers Kenichiro and 
Michinori. As for me, just call me Tokio."

Kenichiro gave his best ignoring the drooling girl kneeling by his side as 
well as the other girl standing on the side and - who would have thought it - 
drooling over him, too.

With amusement Tokio registered that she seemed to be jealous at Okon 
for she had to serve them before she would be able to join.

"We haven't been introduced", she helped her, a gentle smile on her.

In reward she got a thankful glance.
"My name is Omasu. It is a pleasure to meet you." She bowed politely. 
"Is there anything I can do for you?"

Kenichiro ordered what caused some sighing and longing in the eyes of 
the two waitresses.
"We would like to try Kyoyudofu, do you serve it?"

"Anything you want, just a minute." The hidden meaning of the words
let Kenichiro roll his eyes and Michinori twitching from envy.

Meanwhile Tokio had turned her attention to Misao.
"Mm, what are you making of the paper?"

"Look, a ball!"
Tokio took a closer look at the crooked, crumpled paper lying in the small 
hands.

"Well", she began hesitantly, not wanting to hurt the girl's feelings. "It is a 
bit..."

"IT'S UGLY! IT DOESN'T WORK!" Misao threw the paper back on the table 
and slammed her hand frustrated on it, crunching it completely.

Tokio twitched from the unexpected angry outburst, but Okon, obviously used to
the girl's short temper, interfered, looking a bit superciliously at Misao. 
"It WORKS, Misao-chan. You have to be more patient."

Michinori couldn't help but teasing his sister again.
"See, Tokio? Misao-chan is just like you. She could be your little sister."

Tokio just wrinkled her nose. "I would definitely prefer her over you", 
she told him arrogantly. Then she turned again towards the little child. 
"Come, Misao-chan, it is very easy."

With a few skilled movements she tightened the paper again and formed a 
beautiful little ball out of it. "See?"

With a look of surprise, Misao stared at the Origami. Then 
she began to laugh enthusiastically. "One more! One more!" 

Of course she was not satisfied with only one more and forced Tokio to 
make her a whole bunch of it. In the meantime, the meal was prepared and 
brought to them by Omasu, who was then also invited to join them.
Of course she took on Kenichiroīs other side, ignoring Michinori completely.

While Keni now had two girls clinging on him, hearts in their eyes, Misao, 
loosing her interest in Tokio's work as soon as it was over, began to run up 
and down in the restaurant, searching for a new occupation. Finally she choose 
'serving' the customers excitedly with empty bowls and plates. As cute as she 
was everyone took the empty dishes while thanking her and was rewarded with a 
wide, proud smile on her lips.

Tokio watched her with interest when Michinori interrupted her thoughts, 
mourning about the same topic as usual.
"I don't know why he always gets the girls! He isn't even interested in them!"

She laid a hand on his shoulder with a compassionate glance of her black eyes.
"That's the reason, Michi."

Jealousy was not leaving him seeing his brother with the fan-girls that he 
wanted and deserved; he had discussed this already a few times with his 
sister, they had stopped counting how often.
"I know that, it simply is every time the same. He gets the girls and I have 
to gather the broken hearts behind him."

Meanwhile, Kenichiro wanted to get rid of the girls without being 
impolite and asked his sister for support. "Tokio, please help me."

An evil grin appeared on her face remembering his remark about the arrogant 
ass-hole fitting to her earlier and she enjoyed his suffering silently.

Concentrating on her food and her malicious glee she registered the young boy 
suddenly standing beside her and clearing the dishes away only subconsciously.
With pride in his eyes he looked at one of the girls clinched to Keni. 
"One day, when I'm grown up, I will marry Omasu." Never caring that she 
was drooling over another man at the moment.

Without even fully realizing it, Tokio answered him:
"No, you won't."

"What? Of course I will marry her!"

"I meant growing old." 

For a moment she was taken aback by her own words than she clenched her 
fits, a feeling of horror rising up in her.

Hell, not again... not here...

The young boy at her side stared wide-eyed at her, his curiousness about his 
foreign woman, saying such strange things, clearly seen on his face.

Noticing his look, she forced one of her enchanting smiles on her lips.
"He, just kidding, bad joke, I admit." She ruffled his hair a bit and thank 
God it worked and he concentrated back on Omasu, before leaving some minutes 
later in order to bring the empty plates back into the kitchen.

When he left the customers room again, Tokio's smile got lost and made place 
to a very serious expression. Death was something she knew quite well for 
living close to it all the time but it always made her want to mourn when it 
took possession of innocents, like children.

Thank God, her melancholy thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the arrival 
of a tall young man, approximately 14 years old, black-haired and with an
astonishing serious look for a boy so young. 

"Aoshi!" A childish voice yelled happily.

Tokio, relieved to be delivered of her sad thoughts, leaned a bit forward to 
see what was wrong and Misao ran into her.

"Hey, cutie! What was that?" The young girl smiled at her as she held her out 
in her arms, huge puppy eyes of an intense blue colour meeting almost black 
ones.


-Left behind-


Irritated and Tokio looked down on a cheerful Misao.
What was this? No, it couldnīt be...

"Something wrong, Tokio?"

Firstly, she did not answer, not really aware that the girl meant her. 
Then she forced herself to smile. "No, no, everything is just fine." 
Gently she stroke Misaoīs soft hair. "You know, you really got 
beautiful eyes, little one. Wide and blue just like the ocean."


-And there would come an ocean.-
-And endless sea of tears and blood.-


She shook her head. No, not this time. She wouldnīt fall for these images once
again.

"Excuse me, miss." The young boy, who initiated the girlīs excitement, 
approached her. "I hope she didn't bother you." 

He was quite tall; his black hair was arranged in a high pony-tail, but some 
strands fell in his face, hiding his ice blue eyes. 
His dark-blue clothing did not fit to the restaurant; it seemed to be a training 
outfit.

Tokio gave him a smile, silently admiring the boy's beauty and his good 
manners. "Oh, I don't mind, I love her, she is so sweet."

A very content grin quirked at the corner of Misao's lips as she gave the 
young man a triumphant glance. "See", she said, looking absolutely pleased 
with herself. Then she turned towards her new friend again. 
"Tokio, that's my boyfriend, Aoshi. Aoshi, this is Tokio. She is my 
girlfriend."

Tokio laughed at her and the young man, who, not even batting an eyelid,
didn't seem to mind being called 'boyfriend' of a four-year-old child.
"So that's your boyfriend, Misao-chan?" she asked in a teasing voice. 
"You got a good taste in man, cutie. Congratulations."

Misao grinned, obviously contented that Tokio registered her fine 
taste - whatever this was. "You have a boyfriend, too?"

Tokio began to giggle. "My god, no! Look at these two stupid brothers 
of mine, there is no need for a boyfriend."

All three looked at Kenichiro with the two girls drooling over him and 
a jealous Michinori who tried to catch attention of at least one of them.

"Keni, were did you get these scar?"

"I bet it was a fight."

"You are a good fighter?"

"How old are you?"

"He is twenty-eight, quite old, he? Look at me I'm twenty-five and 
still available!"

"Ah, you heard, Omasu? Twenty-eight? WOW?"

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Yes, he has one back in Osaka. But I am still free."

"You heard, Okon? In Osaka? Come on, that's far away, he will forget her."

She had to smile at the sight of her brothers before she turned back to her 
new little friend and this "boyfriend" of her.

Again she examined the young men.
He appeared to be Misao's opposite, emotion-less where she was lively, silent 
where she was loud, but Tokio also gained the deep, abiding feeling that they 
were connected, that somehow his soul and hers were of the same kind. 
"You've made quite a match there, Aoshi-san", she told him in a teasing 
but gentle way.

The young man turned his attention back to her and for the fraction of a 
second he returned her smile.
"Ah, I agree. Misao's something special." He looked warm and loving at the 
girl in Tokio's arms, who was still distracted by watching Okon and Omasu's 
fight over Keni, and the young woman could feel how much he cared for the 
child. Then he reached out his arms to take Misao back, icy blue eyes meeting 
almost black ones and for a moment she experienced a moment of absolute 
despair.


Silence. 
Coldness.
Loneliness.
Guilt.


Strangely, she nearly did not notice Aoshi taking Misao out of her arms and
retreating with her through the backward door.

Her heart began to pound louder, her head seemed lighter than usual and 
darkness flickered at the edges of her vision that threatened to swallow her 
consciousness as if she were not really here, as if she were just some ghost 
of a memory, drifting about the world, only observing.

Observing...

Her brothers were still busy, Kenichiro tried to get rid of Okon and Omasu, 
Michinori tried to interfere and catch to attention of at least one of the 
girls and both were so obviously ignorant to her present that she did not feel 
like calling them for help.

Fiercely she told herself to stay calm but in her impression the room darkened
even more, the walls came closer, it distorted and she felt a sudden, 
irrational threat. Suffocating.

Death.
It was everywhere. Creeping from every wall, coming towards her.

She could already feeling his hands reaching out for her...

"I'll be back soon." Receiving an envious glance from Kenichiro
she raised and left the restaurant, hoping to regain her strength again when 
not being confronted with all these people, with all these destinies.

All these deaths.

Still being absorbed in her strong impressions she slide the door open and 
collided with a hard male body in her way.
"Oi, oi. Slowly, young girl, slowly."

She took a closer look at the man she ran into, light-blue clothing, the
white triangles on the sleeves, the swords in his light brown hakama, a
Shinsengumi. Brown eyes meeting black ones.


Pain.
Suffering.
A grave covered with earth.


What was that? These emotions she felt, she could do nothing but stare with 
wide-open eyes at him, feeling the darkness of his aura. Then she finally 
understood 'He will die...'

The young men cleared his throat, visibly astounded about her behaviour but 
also pleased about this beauty admiring him as he thought.
"What is such a young, pretty girl doing alone here? Looking for protection?"

A second man appeared behind him, tall, thin, the same clothes. Tokio's eyes 
widened even more when she recognised him.
"No need to waste effort here, Okita-kun. I know her."

Okita seemed to be disappointed and amazed at the same time.
"YOU know her? And I thought I knew all your secrets, Saitou-san. It's not 
very nice hiding this one here!"

In response, Saitou nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders. "No need to hide her,
I just met her this morning."

Okitaīs eyes widened. "The woman from the meeting with Kondou-sensei?"

Resigning, the older one sighed. "Takemoto Tokio-san from Osaka, Okita 
Souji-san from the Shinsengumi", he explained a bit bored.

The younger wolf bowed in front of her, visibly still chewing on the fact that
his friend already had the pleasure of meeting her. 
"It is so nice to meet you, Takemoto-san."

She had re-gained her composure and bowed back.
"The same to you, Okita-san."

While eyeing her thoughtfully, Saitou's thin lips twisted into a mocking 
smile. "You're alone? Aren't your keepers worried you'll get into trouble?" 

Tokio had to hold back very hardly not to give him the disrespectful answer he
deserved."My brothers are still in the restaurant, they will come out soon."

Okita, choosing to prevent more sarcastic remarks from his colleague, 
gave her a warm smile.
"So you were eating there?" He pointed with his hand in the direction 
of the restaurant. "Isn't it a fine location? Iīve always liked the Aoiya very 
much."

Relieved that he had saved her from loosing her polite mask, Tokio 
nodded in his direction.
"Yes, we tried Kyoyudofu, very tasty. I've never seen something like this in 
Osaka."

Something about the manīs friendly smile changed.
"Osaka? Is that were you come from? And your name was Takemoto?" 

"That's true", the girl nodded. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, nothing, nothing." He eyed at the Aoiya, visibly feeling uncomfortable.
"Please excuse me for a second, Takemoto-san, Saitou-san, I'll be back 
soon." In a hurry he entered the restaurant, seeming confused.

Surprised Tokio stared after him. Then she suddenly remembered her earlier 
impressions and her eyes were veiled by sadness. 
"You are dead", she murmured to herself.

"I wouldn't say so, he seems to be quite alive in my eyes."

With a inwardly shriek Tokio remembered Saitou's presence again. Letting a 
sweet smile appear on her lips, she turned around and looked deep into his 
cold amber eyes.
"Of course he is, please forget what Iīve said. I simply thought of something 
else."

He wasn't impressed a bit; the first person she met she couldn't manipulate 
with her beautiful face and her charms. With a certain respect that he didn't 
buy her lie, she thought of using her observation to sidetrack him.
"He seemed a bit confused about my name and Osaka. I wonder what got into him."

He raised an eyebrow, obviously surprised at her indirect question.
"He knew your father very well", he explained, his amber eyes fixed on her 
face, searching for some reaction. "They were on some missions together."

"He knew my father?" She didnīt want to show him her real feelings, showing 
him that saying 'knew' instead of 'knows' disturbed her and that she even 
had not been aware of the fact that he had been in Kyoto.

"Yes, they worked together in some cases", he told her briefly.

It wasn't easy to catch this wolf, but she had to reveal more information.
She choose the innocent strategy. "It may sound stupid but I didn't 
even know that he was in Kyoto in the last years."

"So? Have you been too busy with reading sentimental poems?"

That was enough!
Forcing a laugh, she raised deep black eyes to meet Saitou's cool stare. 
"Oh, sorry, Saitou-san, I forgot that in the social surroundings 
you're coming from, isnīt so much time to read high literature."

The sardonic arching of one slim eyebrow was his only response, prompting a 
faint, guilty blush. He had not been nice but he didn't deserve that. 
"I'm sorry", she told him quietly. "I didn't mean to be nasty. It's just that my 
father..."

Much to her surprise, he gave her a small smirk. "You've got quite a sharp 
tongue, Takemoto-san, I already thought so this morning."

Suddenly she understood. That bastard had provoked her in order to make 
her lose her temper and she had been trapped so easily!
Clenching her fist she prepared to tell him what she thought of men like him 
when right at that moment, the restaurant's door opened and Kenichiro stepped 
out with Okita by his side. If the girl hadn't been so angry she would have 
laughed at Okon and Omasu, who were now drooling on two men and still ignoring
Michinori, who was straight on their heels.

Obviously, the girls didn't want to lose contact to this marvellous two guys and 
inquired
"Where are you going this evening?"

Instead of the two admired ones, Michinori answered. 
"We are going to visit Ponto-cho. Would you like to come with us?"

Surprised Tokio paid attention, they had changed plans? And why was Okita with 
her brothers?

"MICHINORI!" Kenichiro was annoyed about his brother practically inviting the 
girls he wanted to get rid of, but Michinori didn't mind and continued.
"You see, he is very pleased, if you would join us."

"TOKIO! Help me!" By casting a pleading glance at his sister, he quickly told 
her with his eyes that he wanted to spent the evening as planned. 

In her mind Tokio recalled his earlier behaviour.
"Oh, I'm sorry, cutie Tokio won't help you this time", she told him evil. 
"I have my own plans."

Alarmed Kenichiro pricked up his ears.
"Own plans for the evening?" Taking a thoughtful glance at Saitou who was 
standing beside her, his thoughts became clearly readable on his forehead. 
Unimaginable that his sister agreed to spend with him instead with her 
brothers! Or did his plan already work? Was his sister's appearance working on 
the wolf?
"This isn't Osaka, Tokio, you can't leave the house without protection", he 
finally told her in his 'big, protecting brother' voice.

Registering the wrong conclusions Kenichiro draw, Saitou evidently meant that 
it was time to put things right.
"She will read some poems staying at home. I guess it is not necessary to 
protect her against some writings, Takemoto-san."

Tokio wanted to protest, but seeing Kenishiro and remembering his wish to 
marry her with this man she stayed quiet. She had not forgot all the endless 
discussions they had about this topic.

Furthermore, Omasu seemed to remember something as her eyes saddened.
"Oh, no! Okon, we promised to look after Misao this evening! We can't company 
them."

Hope raised in Kenichiro's and disappointment in Michinori's eyes, both things
Tokio wouldn't tolerate.
"This should be no problem. I could look after her, staying here after my
brothers picked you up."

Three members of the group cheered up instantly.
"This would be wonderful, Tokio-san! I'm sure Grandpa will give his agreement!
It is our first free evening for some weeks and you could stay together with 
Misao in the guest-room till we come back." 

Shocked that his sister worked against him, Kenichiro wasn't able to react
quickly. "Oh Tokio come on!"

"Haven't you heard her, big brother?! She won't help you!"

"Michi, you really are..." Kenichiro began, but looking at his brother he gave
in defeated. He had never been able to let down his younger brother SO badly
"All right, I agree."

This caused two enthusiastic girls who seemed a bit torn on whom to focus
their attention: Kenichiro or Okita. Still, Michinori tried to catch their
attention by jumping around the group, waving his arms, Kenichiro appeared
to be at the end of his tether, Okita lost, Okon and Omasu continued drooling.

Saitou rolled his eyes at the sight of the group. "What a bunch of idiots", 
he grumbled very quietly, but Tokio standing close to him heard him and cast a
deadly glare at him, remembering what she wanted to tell him some minutes ago.

"Don't say something like this about my brothers. Has anyone ever told 
you that you have incredible bad manners? You really are..."

"AAAAAAAAAAA!"
The sliding door slammed open and a yelling Misao came running out of the 
restaurant, saw Tokio and hid behind her. Why could she never held her 
speeches?!

The girl bent down to the child who dug her little fingers in her kimono.
"What is it, Misao-chan, is something wrong?"

"Yukata! They want me to wear a yukata!"

Aoshi followed her on the street "Please, Misao-chan."

Misao, obviously wanting to turn the attention to something different, looked 
around and her big blue-green eyes discovered the foreign man standing right 
beside Tokio.
"Who's that?" she demanded curiously.

An evil smile formed itself on Tokioīs lips. "That's Saitou-sama", she told 
the girl in a deceitfully sweet voice. "Why don't you say hello to him, 
darling? I'm sure he would love to help you against Aoshi. He just adores 
little children!"

The glance the wolf shot at her, made her smile widen.

You're just getting what you deserve, Saitou Hajime!

Meanwhile Okon and Omasu besieged Aoshi, and prevented him in that way 
from stopping Misao, who actually dared to approach a Mibu's wolf.

"Aoshi, we would like to spent the evening with Kenichiro-san and Okita-san."
Michinori paled at not being mentioned. "This is our free evening and Tokio-san
offered to stay the evening here and to have an eye on Misao-chan.Please, give
your agreement and talk with Grandpa."

"I see no problem, Misao seems to like her."

Meanwhile Misao had already stepped towards Saitou. "Really? You help me?"

Visibly Saitou felt uncomfortable, not knowing how to handle the little 
girl in front of him. 
"I don't think a yukata will kill you."

She turned back to her friend, tears in her eyes.
"He is scary, Tokio." Her eyes watered even more. "He is very, very scary!" 
Bending down and whipping away the tear from her cheek, Tokio picked her up, 
not without casting a punishing glance at Saitou.

"He is just a bit awkwardly, Misao-chan. He meant that you will look beautiful
in a yukata, just like a big girl." She settled the child down on her hips, 
wrapping both arms around her.

Misao cheered up already "Just as you?" 

"Much more than me, cutie." Tokio smiled at her and the last tear in Misao's
eyes vanished. Reaching out her hands, the girl called her 'boyfriend'

"Aoshi! I want to wear a yukata!"

He came closer, taking Misao from Tokio.
"That is really strange", he murmered to himself. Then he bowed politely. 
"Thank you, Tokio-san. She seems to have a crush on you, usually I'm the only 
one who can convince her."

He went back with Misao while Omasu and Okon fixed their date with the guys.
"So you pick us up at 6 o'clock."

Turning her attention to Saitou, Tokio summarised her impression
"You really lack skill handling little girls, I hope your sword-fighting 
skills are better trained than this."

His thin lips curved in a wolfish smile. 
"I'm still alive as you can see."

Meanwhile Okon and Omasu had followed Aoshi and Misao back into the restaurant
leaving one exited, one weird and one relieved man behind.

The exited one, Michinori, addressed his sister
"Let's go and visit the shrine, I want to be back in time."

Raising her eyebrows, Tokio replied:
"Kenichiro? What about you?"

"I'll have some business with Okita-kun, I'll meet you in our accommodation."

Michinori and Tokio seemed both astonished about their brother's behaviour
The girl watched Saitou out of the corner of her eye who registered it and 
shrugged his shoulders.

Deciding it would be best to intrigue Michinori on the way to the shrine, 
Tokio used her most enchanting smile.
"Oh, it is too bad! Then bye, Kenichiro, Good-bye, Saitou-san, Okita-san."

All nodded their good-byes in return and Tokio headed down the street
together with her brother who started to dream about the evening.
"Well, Tokio, what do you think? Will one of the girls be interested? 
What do you think?"

Sighing, Tokio prepared to destroy Michinori's illusions while Kenichiro and 
Okita started to discuss.

Saitou only shook his head "Morons."