Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Birth of the Wolf ❯ Chapter 7

Part 7

(5 years later)

"Takami! Miroko! Sayaka! Wash up, it's time to eat!" Tokio called to her daughters. Six-year-old Takami shouldered her two younger sisters aside and charged through the door. Four year old Miroko was next and two year old Sayaka toddled in last. Saito walked in just then, and the three girls immediately mobbed him. Saito dropped to the floor and let his daughters crawl all over him.

"You act like I haven't been here in a week!" he said as they continued to go to town.

"Cuz 'oo habn't!" Sayaka shouted and pulled on her father's bangs.

Saito scrunched up his nose. "Oh yeah."

"So, how was Tokyo?" Tokio asked, setting the food out.

"Good, actually. There are quite a few nice houses there."

"Are you hinting again?"

"Yes. Seriously, Tokio, I think it's time we got out of Kyoto. Everyone here knows what happened five years ago."

"So? Kyoto is our home, Saito. Our children were born here, and one of them is buried here. We can't just leave."

"I know, but I don't want to have to bury anymore here. I don't want to lose you or the girls, which is what will happen if we stay!"

"You don't know that for sure, Saito. There hasn't been any indication that someone doesn't like us being here."

"..."

"Saito? Is there something you're not telling me?"

"Tokio, I hoped I wouldn't have to tell you, but..."

"Out with it, Hajime Saito!"

"I've been getting threats."

"So, you're going to run away? That's not like you, Hajime."

"I know. But they're not threatening me. They're after you and the girls."

"Hmph. Do you want to leave?"

"I want to protect you."

"That's not what I asked you!" Tokio snapped angrily.

"Yes!! I want to get out of this goddamned city! There is nothing here for us, Tokio! Nothing except a grave! I want to stop having to look over my shoulder to see if I'm being followed home!"

"You think it'll be any different in Tokyo? Dammit, Saito, that grave is our son! I am not leaving him!"

"We have no choice! I was offered a permanent job in Tokyo, and I took it. I start in two weeks, so we have to move before then!"

"Hajime! How dare you do this without telling me!"

"Quiet woman, I'll do what I want."

Tokio's eyes widened in surprise at the insult.

"Are you that much of a coward, Hajime Saito, leader of the third squad of the Shinsengumi, that you run at the slightest hint of danger? Do you relish the thought of giving your enemies the victory? Do you want to leave our son, who died *because of you*?"

Tokio knew she had gone too far. She never saw Saito's hand, only felt the stinging blow it landed on her cheek.

"Tokio! There was nothing I could have done to save him! You know that!" Saito shouted, his voice wavering slightly.

"Well, fine then. If you want to go to Tokyo that badly, then go! Get out!"

As the silence descended, Sayaka started to sniffle.

"Why are mommy and daddy 'elling?"

"Because they're mad. Come on, let's go outside," Takami said, going to the door and opening it.

She was just about to herd her sisters out, but a big man stood in her way.

"Hello there, little one. May I speak to Hajime Saito?"

"Uh sure, hold on," Takami said, and closed the door. "Daddy, there's a man here to see you!"

Saito glared at his wife, a look that said 'we'll continue this later'. He came to the door and looked at the man who stood there. His eyes widened in surprise, and then he bowed deeply.

"Toshimichi Okubo-sama. What brings you here?"

"You are Hajime Saito-san? Good. I need to speak with you."

"Of course. Come in." Saito led Okubo into the house. Tokio must have heard who it was, because their uneaten meal was gone from the table and tea was set out instead.

"Tokio, this is Toshimichi Okubo."

She bowed. "It is an honor to meet you sir. Please, sit and have some tea."

"Thank you Tokio-san. Saito-san. I would like to ask you a few questions." He paused and glanced at Tokio.

"With all respect, Okubo-sama, whatever you have to say can be said in front of my wife."

Okubo sighed, and then nodded. "Very well. I don't know how to put this lightly, so I'll be blunt. I know that there are a few Meiji officials who still would like to see the Shinsengumi members dead, and that you have been receiving threats along those lines. I want you to know that I intend to put a stop to that as soon as possible, by clearing all crimes you stand accused of."

Saito narrowed his eyes. "What do I have to do in return?"

"Heh. Nothing gets by you, Saito-san. Since you asked, I would like you to find someone for me. I understand that you were a pretty good assassin, second only to Okita Soji."

"I'm not in that line of work anymore, Okubo-sama. I have a family."

Okubo raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I know. But I also know that this person is someone you would want to come out of retirement for. Mind you, I don't want you to kill this person, just find him. Does the name Himura Kenshin mean anything to you?"

Saito thought for a moment. Then he looked at Okubo.

"Yes. Hitokiri Battousai. We need both of you, but we need to find him first. I want to be sure that he's still as strong as he used to be. Will you find him for us?"

"'Us'? You mean the Meiji government. What if I say no?"

"Well, then, you'll just have to go on living your life in fear."

"I don't respond well to threats, Okubo."

"I see. Think about it, Saito-san. I'll be back tomorrow to hear your answer. Good day." With that, Okubo got up and left.

"What are you going to do, Hajime?" Tokio asked after a few minutes of uncomfortable silence.

"I don't know. The thought of seeing the Battousai again...Hmm, I am in no rush for it though. I suppose a lot of money is involved as well. What do you think?"

Tokio snorted. "Now you're asking me?"

"Oh, don't start, Tokio."

"Start? I never finished. What about that job you found?"

"I think this would be more important. It's a government job."

"So, the government, which, I remind you, you fought to keep out of power, is more important to you than your family?"

"Dammit, Tokio, that's not what I meant. The government job is more important than the other job!"

"I see. Well, that should decide it for you."

Saito sighed. "Tokio, I am running out patience with your childishness. Do you think I should take Okubo up on his offer or no?"

"Do whatever you want. You're going to anyway."

The two looked at each other for a moment before Saito suddenly slammed his fist onto and through the table.

"Fine," he ground out. "I have made my decision."

Saito didn't tell Tokio what that decision was until Okubo came back the next day.

"So, Saito-san, what do you want to do?" Okubo asked.

"Before that, Okubo-sama, I want to know what steps will be taken to protect my family from any threat. Including the Battousai, should he choose to come after me that way."

"Your family will be watched over with the utmost care, Saito-san."

Saito nodded. "Good. I'll track the Battousai for you."

Tokio gave a disgusted snort.

"Wonderful! Now, his last known whereabouts were in Tokyo. I would like it if you came with me in two days."

"Yes, I should be ready by then," Saito replied, not looking at Tokio.

"Perfect. I will see you in two days then," Okubo said, and left.

"Well, this is nice, Saito," Tokio said, feigning happiness.

"I know. Start packing, woman, we're going to Tokyo."

"Excuse me?"

"What? Did you honestly think I'd leave you here? I love you too much to do that."

"If you truly loved me, we'd stay here with Seijiro."

"We have to compromise. I made preparations."

"Preparations?"

"Seijiro's coming with us."

"ARE YOU MAD?" Tokio shouted.

"No not at all. In fact, his body's already in Tokyo.

"You moved our son without saying anything to me about it? Hajime, you've done some pretty stupid things since we've been married, but this is by far the worst!"

"Tokio, you're taking this the wrong way."

"Stop!"

"Tokio! Listen to me! I didn't move him just to make you come with me!"

"Hmph. You know I would have probably come anyways."

"Exactly. So when we move, he'll be there too. Please, will you come with me to Tokyo?"

"You already know the answer."

"Yes, but I want to hear you say it."

"Yes, yes, I'll come with you to Tokyo."