Disclaimer: None of the Rurouni Kenshin characters are mine. They all
belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki-sama. I acknowledge his rights and those of
all companies associated with RK. However, the plot and all original
characters, including the character outline of Saitou Tokio are mine.
Please do not take them without permission. Arigatou.


Chapter Four:

"Saitou Hajime," the man said softly, drawing his blade, the soft scrape
of metal on metal filling the stark silence of the room. "It's been a
long time. Old friend."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saitou was shocked to say the least. But he held his outward composure,
and nothing more than the tightening of his hand upon his hilt revealed
the inner turmoil within. "It's you. How did you find me?"

Midori gave a mirthless smile. "The same way we used to find those who
were corrupted. Eventually their luck runs out. It always does, even
after eleven years."

Eleven years ago Saitou had decided to give his services to the Meiji
Government. He had known what it would be like. The government officials
that had hired him never truly trusted him, save for Kawaji. And those
rebel elements whom he arrested or killed always had the same thing to
say: "Meiji dog." But the insults never mattered because in his heart he
held true to his convictions.

"I have never deviated from the path of honour. Nor have I ever left the
Shinsengumi."

Midori ran scornful eyes over Saitou, a silent accusation in them as
they looked over the uniform he donned. "Say what you want. Your
appearance speaks for itself. You have forsaken the man you once were
and all your principles."

Saitou bristled inwardly. Midori had once been a friend, as much as
Okita had been in his own way but he was not about to let this go. "If
you can't see beyond the surface level, I'm afraid such naivety could
get you into trouble." The warning was clear enough.

"The law is simple and there are no two ways about it. We fought the
Ishin shishi because they were evil. This government is the product of
their efforts. How could you do this?" And there underneath his cool
tones ran a streak of anguish that Midori could not quite hide. Tokio's
eyes widened and her breath caught softly as she heard it. Saitou had
placed himself such that he stood in front of her, blocking her from his
ex-compatriot's view. But since she could not watch the stranger, her
other senses had heightened in response. She wanted to know more about
this man. Information was always useful to have; she had learnt that a
long time ago.

Saitou eyed Midori Akira. Most men would have died by now for the
insults they had just dealt to his honour. Out of deference for their
past relationship, he had allowed Midori to continue thus far. And now
again because of that memory, he was going to do something he almost
never did: he sought to explain himself. There wasn't much that he could
say, what with the need for secrecy and all. But he would at least try.

"Being a police officer requires me to enforce justice. I watch out for
the welfare of the common people. That's part of what we used to do in
the past."

Bitterness flashed across the other man's face and Saitou realised that
he had said something wrong. Instead of assuaging the man's anger, he
had just stirred it further.

"You're not a police officer. You are working as a spy for them! How
many others have you arrested, those who would upset this corrupted
administration? How much innocent blood is there on your hands?"

"Who told you I am a spy?" That last outburst changed everything. So
Midori's presence was not coincidental. Someone had given him that
information. Saitou's jaw tightened in anger. 'No doubt this must have
something to do with Kamatari and Chiro's incidents.' Information was
being leaked at the highest levels.

"That won't matter much in a while." Midori's hair and clothes billowed
softly, lifted on an eerie wind fuelled by the aura he radiated. "Come,
draw your weapon."

"You intend to take my life."

"Aku. Zok. Zan. This is the only way."

.................................

The tension in the air was palpable, thick and dry. Saitou slowly
unsheathed his nihontou, amber eyes focused on Midori's own green ones.
The resemblance between both men was remarkable. Not their physical
aspects, though both were of similar build but the intensity of
concentration, the cold resolution that burned right off them.

Both of them slipped into the Gatotsu stance that marked them out as
swordsmen of a group once so powerful that nothing short of guns could
have stopped them. Midori was right-handed though, while Saitou was
strongest with his left. For a moment they paused, assessing each other.
And then with twin roars that melded into one howl, they charged.

It was a dance of deadly grace and fluid slashes. They circled swiftly
like wolves, the ring of steel like the snap of fang on fang. But Saitou
knew that this place was too confined to carry on without risking any
harm to Tokio who remained in the corner. When Midori lunged in with a
deadly thrust straight for his throat, Saitou brought his blade up in a
circular sweep, knocking it aside. Before Midori could bring the sword
back in the Hiratsuki, Saitou smashed his right fist into the other's face.

Midori reeled, stunned for a moment. Saitou's hand wrapped around his
throat and then both of them were hurled out of the room, smashing
through the shoji and out into the corridor. They leaped apart and then
came together once more. Gatotsu met Gatotsu and the swords screamed
like banshees, locking down at the hilt. Both men struggled, lips drawn
back in feral snarls, battle fervour fevering their eyes with unnatural
light.

Suddenly Midori fell back, stepping to the side. Saitou reacted a second
too late and felt metal slice through the clothes on his back, breaking
the skin.

"First blood to me," Midori hissed.

"It's only a scratch," Saitou growled, whirling around. Without breaking
momentum he charged once more.

His blood sang, violence calling like a siren from a past he had long
left behind, rousing the killer in him. 'It's been so long,' Midori
thought, as he parried slash after slash. So long since he had felt the
heat of battle. And then he cursed himself for his distracted thoughts
as Saitou's blade stabbed his shoulder.

"Now we're even."

The smile underlying Saitou's tone infuriated Midori. And then his eyes
alighted on the sword. No wonder Saitou had broken through his defence.
It couldn't be possible but ... "You changed hands." He hadn't even seen
the switch. 'How fast is he?'

"I'm just as adept with my right as I am with my left. You've forgotten
a lot of things." The remark, meant to provoke, did just that. Midori's
face was a grim mask as he advanced on Saitou.

Then they heard the sound of running footsteps and shouts outside which
rapidly made its way to the entrance of the house. There was a gunshot
and both of them started. Their private battle was over. For now. "Next
time, Saitou. As long as I'm out there, you'd better watch your back."
Then he fled down the corridor towards the back of the house.

Saitou let him go, staring at the empty space where Midori had been a
second before. "You can be sure I will," he said softly. After Midori's
appearance, Saitou had reckoned that nothing else would shock him. But
it was with no little surprise that he saw his missing spy and the
weasel girl burst in round the corner, running straight for him.

"Matte! You two kidnappers! How dare you ---urk!" The police officer
almost crashed into Tokio as she stepped out into the corridor. Behind
him, three others, armed with rifles, skidded to a halt. The barrel of
one was still smoking.

"Please, put the guns away," she requested firmly, barring the way.

"But the kidnappers--" Were hiding behind Inspector Fujita? Officer
Kanzaka blinked hard to make sure his old eyes were not playing tricks
on him.

Saitou stared down at Kamatari. "Kidnappers?"

"We borrowed a carriage to get us here safely."

"Borrowed?" Kanzaka repeated indignantly. "You hijacked it!" It had been
sheer coincidence that he had been passing by when the carriage had
halted in the streets. The door had opened, he had given it a casual
glance, had seen the two ragamuffins shoving their weapons back into
their clothes as they jumped out. One look at the scared foreigner
confirmed Kanzaka's suspicions.

"Did you hurt him?" Saitou asked.

"Iie."

"Steal anything?"

"Of course not!"

Saitou turned back to the policeman. "I have the situation under
control. Now, leave."

"B-but ..."

"Get out."

They were all too familiar with that tone. Bowing to Fujita Tokio, whom
they pitied once more for being married to their boss, all four quickly
took their leave.

"Kamatari-san, Misao-san," Tokio indicated for them to enter the study
room. When Saitou walked past her, he shook his head almost
imperceptibly. The 'scratch' on his back was actually a shallow gash but
it could wait.

"I hope you have a good explanation."

Kamatari was just thinking along the same lines as he eyed the trashed
door and spotted the drops of blood on the floor. There had been a
fight. However, Saitou Hajime's private business was something that he
had no wish to go snooping into.

"I was the one who killed Chiro." Saitou, seated once more behind his
desk, didn't move. Only the smoke from the freshly lit cigarette he held
between his fingers swirled up, obscuring the hooded expression in those
inscrutable eyes. "Chiro was the first to try to kill me when I shared
my information with him. On my journey back from China I was waylaid by
assassins with every step I took. I met Misao and she helped. But it's
nothing short of a miracle that we made it here alive."

"I expect nothing less from a spy who was an ex-Juppon Gatana member."
Saitou arched a brow at Kamatari who stirred a little at that comment.
"What did you find out in China?"

"There is a spy called Shinohara Sasaki and he is in Japan. He has been
here for at least two years."

Saitou paused in the act of bringing his cigarette to his lips. "Are you
positive?"

"You know where I was posted. This information comes from an impeachable
source."

"Where is he?"

"That I do not know and neither did my source. However, he is here on
assignment to somehow sabotage the upcoming Trade summit. That was all I
could gather." When Saitou didn't respond, Kamatari felt a surge of
annoyance. He had risked life and limb to return and save this weak
government from being destroyed and this was the thanks he got?

"Kamatari-san." A soft hand landed on his shoulder and he looked up to
see Saitou Tokio by his side. "You and Misao-san could do with some
freshening up. If you'll allow me ..." Tokio showed them to the
bathhouse, gave them fresh towels and set out some tea and food as well.
She noted the dull light in Misao's eyes but aside from scratches and
bruises, she was fine. Kamatari on the other hand would need stitches.
After sending for the doctor, she went back to the room.

"I've sent for a doctor. How is your back?"

"It's not bleeding anymore." Saitou lit another cigarette and took a
deep drag. "Shinohara Sasaki. This might be a problem."

Tokio recalled another evening when she had asked him about Shishio
Makoto. Hajime had called that a problem too. Her husband had a knack
for understating things. "I have never heard of him before."

"There isn't much known about him." Saitou looked at Tokio and as usual,
the sight of her calmed his nerves somewhat. "During the Bakumatsu,
there were plenty of conspiracies. Our spies heard that the Chinese were
involved as well, trying to prolong the civil war in hopes that a
weakened Japan would present a more appetising prospect for the British
and French, who by that time were busy cutting up China like a melon.
Shinohara's name came up, although I am not sure how he was involved.
But no solid evidence was ever found and it was dismissed as a rumour."

"Shinomori Aoshi might know something about this," she suggested.

"I intend to ask him just that when we get to Yokohama." Saitou sighed
deeply then, and for a moment he looked tired. "Almost eight days to the
summit. Eight days to catch Shinohara, the man who hired him and deal
with Midori. Whom I have no doubt was informed of my current occupation
by Shinohara as well, though I doubt Shinohara let him know what his
real plans were." Midori would have killed him otherwise. Revolting
against the Meiji government was one thing. Endangering Japan's
independence was another matter entirely.

"Shinohara Sasaki has spent these two years studying you. He knows you
well Hajime and he has picked an opponent you will be hardpressed to
eliminate."

"Did I really do so badly against him?" A wry smile touched his lips but
it disappeared with her next words.

"I was watching and I saw everything," Tokio said softly, taking her
husband's hand in hers. "He meant to kill you. You were just fending him
off. When you stabbed him, not just his shoulder was an available
target, his entire side was open for attack."

He didn't like what she was saying but it was true. He had been
uncharacteristically reluctant to do Midori more harm than a flesh
wound. "And I suppose you know why I didn't kill him when I had the chance."

"To Midori, he was simply carrying out his duty, the duty of a
Shinsengumi member. There was nothing evil in his intentions. Naturally
you found it difficult to kill a man like that. Ironically, the same
motto that spurs him on hinders you as well."

Trust Tokio to have arrived at that unnervingly accurate conclusion.
"Things might be different next time," he mused, stroking her palm
lightly. Then there was knocking on the main door and she had to go let
the doctor, leaving a thoughtful Saitou behind.

.......................

"Tokio-san," the doctor greeted with almost morbid cheerfulness,
considering that he knew he was needed to stitch some wounds.

"Toshio-sensei." She stepped aside to let him in and as she did so,
Tokio's eyes alighted on a woman standing a distance away at the gate.
She didn't enter although it was not locked but seemed content to simply
look at Tokio. "I'll be with you in a minute, sensei."

"Ay, it's alright. I'll find my way around," he demurred with a wide
smile and set off down the hallway.

Tokio's eyes swept the surroundings for any danger but upon sensing
none, she walked over to the woman who looked about fifty. "Yes, obaa-san?"

"I've a message for you. From Kyosuke." She took out a slip of paper and
pressed in into Tokio's hand. "Have a nice day, Fujita-san," she said
with a twinkle in her eye and left, strolling away at a sedate pace.

'Fujita-san indeed. She probably knows it's just an alias, though I
doubt Kyosuke told her my real name." If he did and Hajime learnt of it,
there was going to be more than a mere exchange of words. They didn't
like each other and Tokio put it down simply to alpha-male competition.

She read the note twice over, thought for a moment and then headed back
into the house. If Saitou had seen her then, he would have demanded on
the spot to know what she was up to. But as things went, he was not
there and she composed herself perfectly, giving nothing away.

Toshio-sensei was quick and efficient with his needle and soon he left.
"Good thing too," Saitou muttered, shrugging on a new shirt. "If he
leered at you a second more I would have sewn his eyes shut." In spite
of Saitou's glares, the doctor had continued staring at Tokio. Saitou
couldn't decide whether he was obtuse or a fool.

"Kamatari and Misao are ready. The carriage will be here in a few
minutes and I've packed our things." Saitou gave her a curious look and
Tokio realised that she was beating about the bush. Best to get it done
and over with, she told herself. "I'm not going with you."

"What do you mean?" he asked, somewhat perplexed.

"Kyosuke sent word. He and Ittetsu say that there is a rumour spreading
that the Hittokiri Battousai is in Tokyo. And as expected, this has
caused a stir amongst some very dangerous people who I'm sure are
travelling there even as we speak."

"Shinohara's doing?"

"They don't know. But it looks like someone has been studying Shishio
Makoto's mistakes. First you and now Battousai. He's covering all his
bases," Tokio remarked.

"This might not be the best of times to travel alone." Meaning that he
was worried about her safety, understandably so.

"Hajime, I can look after myself. If there is anything in Tokyo, I can
handle it. As for Midori Akira, I'll take care to cover my tracks."

"I know." Then he pulled her into his arms and kissed her, briefly but
fiercely. "Be careful."

"You too, anata," she whispered.

A minute later Kamatari came to announce that the carriage was here for
them. Tokio saw them off, her eyes on Saitou until the carriage pulled
away. Then she went back into the house, swiftly discarding the kimono
she wore for a gi and hakama. The weight of her sword felt comfortingly
familiar at her side and she pulled a travelling cape over her
shoulders, hiding the weapon from view.

And then she did something that no one in their right mind who wished to
cover their tracks would do. She left word with her neighbours saying
that she was going to Tokyo.

'I'm sorry Hajime,' she thought regretfully on the train as she watched
the surroundings speed by. 'I know you wished me not to endanger myself
but I see no other option available.'

Aside from Kawaji Toshiyoshi and Tokio, no one else knew that Saitou was
stationed at Yokohama to oversee the security for the minister's
forthcoming visit. And if Midori Akira knew that she had left her
husband's side, he would surely come after her to find out where Saitou
had gone. He was too dangerous in his own way and in spite of what
Saitou had said, Tokio doubted if he would seriously consider killing
Midori unless pushed into a corner. And by then it might be too late.
Besides, Shinohara had meant for Midori Akira to be a distraction so
that Saitou would not be able to concentrate on his job.

'Well Shinohara Sasaki, looks like you'll be in for a little surprise.'
Tokio leaned back against the seat, closed her eyes and contemplated her
next step.

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