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

The scene in the Aoiya is written by Morgane =^^=.
She starts a fic here on fanfiction.net soon, I recommend to read it, it is 
GOOOOD! 
All right, I admit, I only know parts of it, but by knowing her other stories in 
German, 
I believe it will be... marvellous??


CHAPTER 4


The rest of the day Tokio and Michinori spent relaxing and dozing, while they 
waited for 
their brother to return. It was already dusk when he finally came back, so that 
Michinori 
had already been getting impatient, being afraid of missing the date with Okon 
and Omasu. 

Tokio greeted Kenichiro as friendly as ever by hugging him gently.
"Keni, great that you are back! How was your afternoon with Okita?"

"Fine." He paused a second, knowing that his sister wouldn't be pleased by the 
news he 
brought with him. "Michinori and I will join the Shinsengumi from tomorrow on."

A snort came from Michinori's direction as he spat the water he was just 
drinking out over
his futon on which he was sitting, while Tokio froze in Kenichiro's embrace.

"WHAT?" They shouted in one voice.

"Very easy, you two. I spoke with Okita, later with Kondou and Hijikata and from 
tomorrow 
on Michinori and me will join them."

Tokio let her arms drop and stepped back, her eyes blacker as night itself. "You 
have said
this revolution is not our business, Keni." The coldness of her voice frightened 
both men.
With an unnerving intensity she stared into Kenichiro´s eyes. "That were exactly 
your 
words!"

Her older brother had to swallow over her reaction. He had known that she would 
not like 
this idea but he was not prepared for this irrational disgust. 
"Yes, but I changed my mind", he finally managed to explain.

With every word he spoke, Tokio's eyes were getting darker, while her voice got 
dangerously quiet. "We didn't want to interfere in this war."

Keni found it difficult to hold back a sharp remark. "We're living in this war!" 
he hissed. "Don't close your eyes in front of reality, Tokio."

Closing her eyes in front of reality? She?! Her annoyance turned into anger. 
What the hell did he know?

"You knew that father was in Kyoto!" she began her attack without any warning. 
"Don't even
try to deny it!"

Alarmed he narrowed his eyes at her. "Who told you that?"

In her anger she let herself slip, not paying attention to what she was saying 
anymore. 
It was time to ask more questions and maybe get some answers, the damage was 
already done.

"Was this the reason why you wanted to marry me here, Keni?"

He wouldn't drop the subject, knowing she would inquire now, once she was 
suspicious, he 
had to reveal her source before she knew too much. 
He grabbed her arm and shacked her a bit to underline his seriousness.

"Who told you?"

He was that curious about her source? Tokio´s eyes narrowed. It had to be true, 
their 
father had been in Kyoto. Maybe that was the real reason behind this meeting 
stuff. 
A harmless reason to leave Osaka, that would be Kenichiro´s style.

"Why are we here, Keni? Tell me!" she shouted at him.

Michinori stepped between his siblings calming them down with some movements of 
his hands.

"Chill! Both of you! There is no need for an argument! Tokio, Keni and I will 
join the 
Shinsengumi. Our brother has decided, he is the head of the family, we will do 
what he 
wants us to."

His brother and his sister still stared at each other, threatening, suspicious, 
but both 
knew that Michinori was right. Tokio was aware of the fact that Kenichiro had 
every right 
to decide and it was not her business to doubt his actions and decisions, 
Kenichiro on the
other hand knew that Tokio wouldn't tell him her source; maybe she just heard 
some rumours 
and had conjectured the rest by herself; sometimes she was dangerously 
intelligent.
Eyeing her carefully he released her from his grip. "All right, Tokio, sorry for 
being so 
rough." 

She pulled her arm close to her, holding the spot from his firm grip and stared 
daggers at
him. "It is all my fault for doubting you."

They bowed at each other politely, at which Michinori sighed relieved. There was 
nothing 
more frightening than arguments between his two siblings and he had had enough 
of them in 
the past.

"Let us go, picking up Okita, Okon and Omasu", he suggested with a fake smile.

His both siblings exchanged a last suspicious glance, then Keni murmured his 
agreement and
they left the room.

They met Okita in front of the Shinsengumi headquarters on their way to the 
Aoiya but only
exchanged some phrases, asking more about the 'work' they would have to do till 
they 
finally arrived at the Aoiya and entered.

Some girls were doing the serving and Okon and Omasu waited at 'their' recess 
together 
with Misao who jumped up as soon as she saw her new babysitter.

"Tokio!" Like a tornado she came running towards Tokio and jumped at her, nearly 
sending 
her to the ground with the impact. Okon and Omasu followed more sedate, but with 
visible 
excitement.

"Thanks for taking care of Misao-chan, Tokio-san", Okon greeted her and bowed 
politely. 
"I just don´t know what we would have done without you!"

Hugging the girl on her hips Tokio replied with a smile on her face that it was 
really no 
problem for her.

"If you want something, feel free and order what you want, it is our treat", 
Omasu offered 
while she already shoot longing stares at Kenichiro.

"Thank you very much."

"We have to thank you, otherwise we couldn't spent the evening in Gion", Okon 
gave a 
dismissive gesture. "Aoshi will be back early together with some others, he 
could walk you
home, you wouldn't have to spent the whole evening here."

"Thank you for your offer, I'll consider it."

"Well, we are leaving now. You have everything?"

"Yes, no problem, I'll find my way home."

Kenichiro cast a short glance at his sister
"Don't get in trouble again, Tokio. I would appreciate you waiting for us to 
pick you up."

His sister did not meet his glance, did not even turn as she answered.
"Let us see."

Keni sighed deeply. "Bye then, Tokio."

"Bye, Keni, Michi. Have a nice time Okon, Omasu. Good evening, Okita-san."

Tokio watched them as they nodded their good-byes in return and left the 
restaurant 
somewhat relieved. For at last this evening there would be no further argument 
with her 
brother. Then she turned towards the young girl in her arms. "Now we have the 
whole 
evening just for our pleasure!" she promised with a grin. 

At this Misao smiled widely. "I´m sooo glad you came, Tokio!" she exclaimed 
enthusiastically. "Okon and Omasu can be so boring, you know? They always chat 
about men."

Tokio had to laugh. "Is that so?" Gently she stroke about the little one´s soft 
hair. 
"And what are we two cutes going to do instead?"

Misao bite her lips as she considered the question. "You could tell me a story!" 

she finally decided. "I like stories."

"You do?" Tokio raised her eyebrow playfully. "What sort of story would you like 
to hear?"

The little one smiled wickedly. Obviously she had already meditated about this 
topic. 
"About a female warrior!!!!"

"A..." Tokio hesitated astonished. "Well, these sorts of stories are 
rather....seldom."
Not to say nonexistent, she added inwardly.

A dangerous hot fire began to shine in the ocean-like eyes as if the girl 
prepared for one 
of her famous temper-tantrum. "Grand-daddy says that honour is no question of 
the gender!" 
she told Tokio sharply. Then her mood changed again; looking thoughtfully she 
bite her 
nails. "I don´t understand that very well, but he once said that I was not born 
a girl, 
but a Makimachi and must therefore follow the path of my blood."
Her round eyes searched for Tokio´s. "Do you understand what he meant?"

Tokio regarded her with an unreadable expression on her face. The path of 
blood...honour 
that did not look for gender...
This grandfather did definitely not sound as like an ordinary man and if she 
thought about
it... Yes, it would make sense if the people of the Aoiya were not what they 
seemed to be,
it would explain Aoshi´s training suit and the familiarity Okita seemed to have 
with this 
place. 
"Tell me, cutie...", she began but stopped in mid-sentence. Looking down on the 
energetic 
yet so fragile child in her arms, she wondered for a moment. 
Would it be right to use the girl´s youthful naiviety in order to satisfy her 
own 
curiosity?Her eyes softened. No, Misao´s innocence was a gift so precious that 
no-one 
should use it against her. "Your grand-daddy sounds like a very strong-willed 
person", she 
said instead.

"Oh, he is!" the girl exclaimed. Then a frustrated light began to shine in her 
eyes. 
"But he´s also very frightening. You know, he´s seldom here in Kyoto and then he 
doesn´t 
talk to me much."

"Misao-chan..."

"But it doesn´t matter!" the girl interrupted her, already smiling again. "For I 
have 
Aoshi! Aoshi and I will always be together!"

No, you won´t.

The sudden knowledge made her blink in surprise. Looking down on the child she 
remembered 
her impressions earlier that day; the loneliness and longing she had felt when 
staring 
into the child´s ocean-like blue eyes, and suddenly she was afraid for the girl. 
She was 
part of Japan´s future but who could predict what her own future would be like? 
What 
would happen to create such feelings in her?

"Tokio?"

Absent-minded she stared down at the child in her arms and forced herself to 
smile. 
"Well, shall I begin with the story?" she elegantly changed the topic. 
"You know, I actually know of a little girl known as a fearless warrior. That 
was a long, 
long time ago..."

They spent the evening very relaxed and although Misao was absolutely thrilled 
by the 
story Tokio had invented quickly, she soon began to doze away, looking even more 
adorable 
in sleep than when she was awake.

The older girl smiled gently on the child in her lap. What a sweet, sunny 
little...

"Tokio-san!"

The girl nearly jumped out of her skull. Slowly she turned around. 
"Aoshi-san", she greeted the man suddenly standing behind her, whispering out of 
shock and
in order not to wake up Misao. "I haven´t heard you coming."

"I´ve been trying not to make any noise", the young man answered seriously, and 
moved 
towards her. His eyes discovered the sleeping Misao and although his face 
remained as calm
and impassive as ever, the girl saw how his eyes softened a bit. 
"Thank you for taking care of her."

"No problem, I enjoy her company", Tokio cleared. Then she hesitated a second 
time 
recalling the feeling of despair and loneliness around the two. 
"She is so refreshing innocent and cheerful." 

"Aa."

Casting a short glance at Aoshi, she hesitated once more suspectful; she did not 
want the 
girl to get hurt emotionally or physically. "I hope this won't change."

His eyes narrowed, telling her quietly that this was his wish as well.
Strange, for her vision told her that he would be the reason of Misao´s 
loneliness and 
despair. A despair that would only find an end when...Inwardly she shook her 
head. She had
enough of her gift for today, that was for sure. Determined she reached out for 
her jacket
since the nightly air of this season was already cold. "Well, I´ll be on my 
way." 

The icy blue eyes wandered over her. "You really want to walk home alone?"

She considered his offer for a moment, but then shrugged her head. No, she 
wouldn´t be 
able to handle the sad weight of his and Misao´s destiny anymore. Another day 
perhaps, but
not tonight. Determined she answered while dressing in the jacket.
"Yes, thank you for your offer, but I think it would be better for you looking 
after her. 
I can take care of my own."

He watched her intensely judging her, noticing her discomfort around him and her
seriousness.
"I think you are right", he finally stated and bowed politely. 
"Good-bye and thank you again. I'm sure she would like to see you again."

"I'll come, no problem. I have nothing to do in the moment."

"Good night."

"Good night."

Tokio left the Aoiya and went down to street, thinking of the day. A lot had 
happened, far
too much for one day for her taste. She meet this fascinating man, bumped into 
another one
who knew her father and in addition to that these visions had appeared again. 
The latter event was for sure the most alarming one for she thought to have 
gotten rid of 
them. She had learned a long time ago that her gift brought nothing but pain, 
suffering 
and terror with it. It was nearly ironical that she always just saw the evil but 
never the
good aspects of tomorrow, she thought bitterly. And as much as she wanted to 
deny it in 
front of herself and anyone else, she knew of the danger these visions held 
inside for 
her. Tokio was able to see beyond this world. She could see the future more 
clearly than 
the present and sometimes she was deeply afraid that the things that bound her 
here could 
begin to shatter, that the bonds between her and this world could break...
Then she determined shook her head. It was nonsense to think about things that 
COULD be.

Snapping back into reality, she realized that it had grew quite dark around her. 
A little 
smile appeared on her face. She had always had a crush for darkness, had always 
felt 
seduced by twilight. At least it didn´t force her to see things she did not want 
to see...

Suddenly she stopped. There was something in the air, something she couldn´t 
quite name, 
something strangely familiar. Then she heard the battle screams.

The noises of a fight, the clashing of swords, the cries...like always she was 
helplessly 
attracted by the noise, the song of death she could so eagerly sang along, and 
despite 
better knowledge, she headed towards the screams. 

The clashing and the cries got louder and finally the metallic smell of blood 
she knew so 
well reached her nose. Cautiously, carefully she approached the next corner and 
took a 
furtive glance into the street where the fight was taking place.

What she witnessed, caught her breath. One swords-man was already lying dead in 
the mud of 
the street, another one was just attacking a third warrior.

This third man felt familiar to her, his built, his posture, his movements, 
something was 
odd about him. 

He was wearing a deep-blue yukata longing to his angles, a raising sun unwoven 
at the 
back, the black tie around his haunch still allowing the yukata to gap open at 
the front, 
making a look on his bare well-defined chest, covered with battle scars 
possible.

Fascinated she watched as the other man attacked the blue-clothed one. The man 
in the blue
yukata leaned back in defence, further, further,.., 
the assailant passed him and at that very moment the blue-clothed man raised, 
moving 
around his sword in a wide circle. 

A hand and a foot were flying high through the air and with a loud clash the 
attacker fell
on the street, yelling, staring unbelieving at the end of his bloody right arm 
were his 
hand had been, he twitched from pain and stopped yelling. His legs moving in the 
dirt of 
the street, his bloody amputated leg leaving a red trail behind as he backed 
away from his
superiour walking defeater.

Now Tokio knew why the fighter with the blue yukata occurred familiar to her. 
Visibly the defeated swords-man was feeling pain. But why? The girl silently 
wondered. 
Usually swords are very sharp, leaving a clear cut behind which wouldn't hurt 
instantly.[1]

The blue-wearing fighter turned, a straw hat on his head hiding his face. With 
his sword 
pointing to his foe he approached him, his cold, emotion less, impersonal voice 
sent 
shivers down her spine. "Come on, boy, show me your pain. I know it hurts."

Merciless he stepped closer as if to hunt down his prey, as if playing with a 
toy, exited 
to land the final blow, at which the swords-man lying helplessly and painful at 
the ground 
backed away panicing.

As the winner of the short match raised his sword again, Tokio expected the 
final move, 
expected him cutting of his enemy's head, but the inner knowledge she was born 
with, told 
her that she shouldn´t be too sure of the fight´s outcome. 

Then the sword slammed down, and - the girl's eyes widened in shock - he cut of 
the second
foot of the already defeated warrior who was barely able to stifle his cry.

The tormenter raised his sword horizontical in front of his face taking a step 
closer 
visibly enjoying the other one's pain, a voice raise, the sadistic tendency in 
it was not 
deniable. "Now, won't you beg for your life?"

The broken man lying in the mud knew it was only a matter of time when he would 
be killed 
at last. He had recognised the sadistic nature of his executioner, the last 
thing he could
ask for was a quick, painless death.
"Kill me. For I won't give you the pleasure of wining from pain and begging for 
my life."

Sitting down on the stomach of his victim the sadistic fighter told him what he 
thought 
of his toy's last wish. "Too bad, man, too bad."

Running and shouting was heard and the blue-clothed warrior turned.
"Playtime is over, son of a bitch."

Finally he cut the man's throat, stood up and ran around the next corner.

Breathing heavily Tokio retreated her head and leaned against the wall, hearing 
the 
running and yelling of some men stopping in front of the dead corpses. She 
leaned forward 
to have a look at the men, Shinsengumi!

Faster as lightening she retreated, she wasn't sure from her short glance but 
she thought 
to have seen three men in front of a huger group of similar dressed followers, 
one looking
with narrowed amber eyes directly at her.

This would mean trouble, she was still breathing heavily, her legs didn't want 
to move, 
but she had to go before they would find her. 

But faster than she could react he stood in front of her, using his forearm to 
press her 
against the wall, holding a sword against her throat.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Suddenly she understood. It was Saitou who was holding her trapped here, but he 
hadn't 
recognised her yet, for the darkness of the corner they were standing in. She 
couldn´t 
explained why, but suddenly her fear disappeared.

She made a slight movement with her arm and threatening he brought the sword 
nearer, 
touching her skin slightly so that she felt the first droop of blood running out 
of the 
scratch, running down to her breast. Kenichiro wouldn't be pleased seeing this, 
she assumed
nearly analytically. Time to say something.

"Remove that sword from my throat."

She felt his surprise when he recognised her fearless voice.

"All right, Takemoto." Ignorant to her words, he continued to press her roughly 
against 
the wall, still holding his sword against her throat. 
"But first answer me: What are you doing here?"

The girl swallowed; it was certainly not a preferable position to answer 
questions. She 
stared in his eyes trying to make him feel unsure of himself, but it didn't work 
as it 
hadn't earlier that day. 

Well, not that his suspicion wasn´t understandable. You didn´t meet a girl 
looking 
down at dead bodies with what seemed to be complete indifference, as if seeing 
people 
dying was an everyday occurrence for her, she thought nearly ironically.

"I'm not sure if you failed to understand me but I´m really not enjoying the 
feeling of 
having a sword on my throat." she finally told him in her coolest voice. He 
could think 
whatever he liked to think as long as he would remove that damned sword.

He still didn´t follow her instructions, obviously not impressed a bit.
"I hate to repeat myself, Takemoto. What are you doing here?"

Sighing she decided to tell him what he wanted to hear. 
"As you might recall I was visiting the Aoiya in order to take care of 
Misao-chan. 
I was on my way back home when I stepped into the scene."

Slowly he lowered his sword, his eyes narrowed suspiciously when he watched 
every movement
of her carefully. "You are trying your luck, Takemoto."

"Trying my luck? What do you mean?" she shot back, really not understanding what 
he was
talking about while raising a hand to examine the bleeding scratch. She 
grimaced, it 
wasn't deep, but maybe a scar would remain.

Without answering her question, he roughly he grabbed her arm and dragged her 
towards his 
comrades. "You´re hurting me!" she protested loudly, which he choose to ignore 
as well. 

"This isn't Osaka, Takemoto", he told her instead. "As your brother told you 
before, you 
shouldn't run around here without protection, especially not by night."

She tried to free herself out of his strong, tight grip, but as more as she 
struggled as 
more tightened his hands. "I need no protection, Saitou!" she hissed 
ungratefully. 
"I can very well care of myself, so let me go!"

Finally stopping in front of his comrades, he ignored her completely.
"I found a witness around the corner, she might be able to tell us what happened 
here."

The younger one of the two men laughed lasciviously. "Well, I was already 
wondering what 
you were doing with a cheap street whore here."

"Cheap street whore?" Tokio wasn't able to stifle her annoyance. She prepared 
for a longer
speech telling him what she thought of man and their judgements but Saitou was 
quicker, 
and again she could not held her speech.

"Do you want to try her, Nagakura-san?"

Tokio saw red, noticing the expectant grin in Nagakura's face, but again Saitou 
was 
quicker continuing talking, serious this time.

"Think before you open your mouth and speak, Nagakura-san. This could mean 
trouble. She 
belongs to the Takemotos from Osaka."

The two other men gasped and backed away from her, and now Tokio was suspicious.
What was going on here? Who were these two? And why the hell did everyone react 
in such a 
strange way when he heard her family name?!

With all the arrogance she was capable of, she shoot a superior glance at 
Saitou. 
"Mind your manners, wolf!" she told him sharply. "Will you introduce me to them 
or not?"

The two Shinsengumi gasped again, hearing her speaking this disrespectful and 
seeing 
Saitou's eyes gleaming golden.

"Nagakura-san, leader of the second unit, Takeda-san leader of the 5th unit. 
Takemoto Tokio from Osaka." [2]

Granting her teeth together because of the impolite introduction she bowed to 
the men.

"Nice to meet you."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author's notes:

[1]
Well, for those of you who don't know: About blades

I recommend to believe my experiences and not to try it on your own =^^=.

About the swords:
Usually Japanese swords are VERY sharp, the quality is amazing! 
There is this scene where Kenshin tests the knife on a radish, puts it together 
again and 
the cut closes. Well, that is a bit overdone, but actually... 
If you want to try it use a fresh (!!!) razor blade and cut a flower stalk. 
Press the ends together tightly directly after cutting.. 
TAADAA! Please note that everything has to fit: a fresh razor blade, the stalk 
should not 
be to big or small and you have to be very precise putting the ends together 
again...
Easier: just believe me!!

Anyhow:
A sharp blade leaves a clear cut behind, these wounds don't hurt instantly. 
You may have experienced it in kitchen when you cut in you finger, sometimes you 
don't 
even notice it, just wonder were the blood comes from.

A blunt blade won't cut very good, it hurts a little bit, but not unbearable.

BUT: a rough, blunt blade will hurt! Believe me, it will make you scream. It is 
like 
turning a knife in an older wound. The rough tooth drag some of the surrounding 
flesh with
them which causes the pain.

[2]
I know that Takeda was already assasinated at that time...