Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Fate Chooses a Wolf's Mate ❯ Found Fate and Intrinsic Interactions ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer; I don't own anything

Chapter 2Found Fateand Intrinsic Interactions

Souji Okita suddenly lost all his men. His katana flew to his hand as he located the two perpetrators down the road. He was about to attack when a ninja popped in front of him.

“Sorry for knocking out your men.” She said offhandedly.

Okita raised his eyebrow, his patrol was interrupted, it was past sunset, and one of his friends had been missing for over 24 hours. He wasn't in an amiable mood.

“Listen, we have a present for you, in the forest 20 paces” she pointed as she spoke.

Okita stooped to take the pulse of his closest man, then, finding a strong beat, decided to trust the directions of the ninja, who had disappeared abruptly after her brief speech.

He began to count his steps.

At step 17 a voice danced through his ears, “Hold. Turn let, he'll awaken in a couple of minutes, please tell him the message is in his pocket. Ja Ne!”

Okita pushed through the foliage and saw, “Saitou-san!”

The lanky man was laying on his side unconscious, his hands, legs and mouth bound. Okita raced towards him, and began untying him as he stirred.

“Saitou-san! Saitou-san!” Okita exclaimed frantically. Saitou just glared at him for his excessive show.

Then they both heard a whisper floating on the wind, “Farewell wherever you fare, Shinsengumi”

Okita looked at Saitou, “This will be a very entertaining report”…”Shut-up!”

……………………….. Five Months Later………………………

“Damn them!” Saitou flew backwards. The spy had double-crossed them and led Okita and Saitou, on a two-man mission, into a 50-man army, a well-trained 50-man army Saitou thought cynically as he mentally tallied his victims.

He and Okita had done well considering they were vastly out-numbered, but now both were injured. Okita, himself, was a foot behind Saitou as they hightailed it through the woods. Saitou could hear his companion panting and when he gasped Saitou turned to look at him. Just then Saitou was struck by an arrow.

He looked down, the arrow went clear through his calf muscle, and the slash on his chest was still gushing blood. Saitou felt Okita stop next to him, Oh well; at least we dented their forces by 40 men Saitou smirked as he lost to a world of darkness.

0o00o00o00o00o

"How do you like your tea, Okita-sama?"

"With a touch of sugar, Tokio-san, and can I please convince you to call me Souji-kun? Pleeeeeease?"

"That would be improper Okita-sama!"

"At least call me -san" Okita sighed dramatically as the cultured woman smiled slightly. She turned and looked over to Saitou, who immediately faked sleep.

She came over and knelt beside him. Saitou waited, curious as to what she'd do. She eventually placed a hand on his forehead, two fingers moving to his neck, to check for a pulse.

Saitou grasped her wrist before her fingers reached his nerve and sat up. She gasped a recoiled from the attack, startled.

"Saitou-san, you're awake!" Okita exclaimed as he bounced over. He sat next to the futon smiling brightly.

"Okita, Where are we?"

"Ah, What a question, do we ever know truly know where we are? Hmm..."

Saitou wanted to roll his eyes, but settled on looking expectantly at the silent woman whose wrist he held captive.

"You are at the Sonka woods retreat. You were found by the monks some minutes from here. They requested I apply my knowledge of medicinal herbs in an attempt to help your recovery. Okita-sama awoke only minutes before you Saitou-sama." She responded quietly to his silently inquiry. Never looking up, she acted obediently humble.

They all perked up at the sound of water boiling. "Saitou-san, if you will release Tokio-san, she will retrieve the yummy tea." He smiled brightly.

Saitou looked at Tokio, who still held her head down, simply waiting. He released her and turned to Okita. While she left t the kitchen, which appeared to be behind the left wall, he asked, "What's going on?"

"I know not. Tokio-san is the only person I have seen and she maintains that she has not even left the retreat for over 5 months"

"Do you believe her?" Saitou looked sharply at his compatriot. Okita's instinct about people tended toward the reliable.

"For the moment. We must find more information. Yup! Yup!" He smiled disarmingly as Tokio re-entered the room with a tea set.

Just as Tokio began to perform the proper tea ceremony, a monk entered behind her. He bowed to Saitou and Okita and put a hand on Tokio's shoulder, informing the young woman of the addition to the tea group. Tokio looked up, and then she began to prepare another cup of tea.

"Please allow me to extend my hand of friendship to the both of you. You are both most welcome in this place of serenity."

Saitou would have snorted had these people not in all probability saved his life as well as that of his comrade. Serenity was an impossible dream in this chaotic world.

"We thank you kindly good sir. Please explain to us what happened." Okita got straight to the matter at hand without losing his cheerful disposition.

"Of course. If you will follow me I'll take you to those who found you." Okita rose. Saitou made an attempt to follow, however, the arrow partly responsible for his previous unconsciousness had been lodged in his leg and the appendage still refused to work properly.

"Don't worry Saitou-sama. Tokio-dono will remain and serve you tea. If you require anything the monks completing the temple behind you will assist you."

The monk bowed to Saitou and left followed by Okita.

Tokio, having completed the tea ceremony, sat quietly waiting, her hands folded in her lap. Saitou was observing her behavior silently; he noticed how practiced she was at performing the tea ceremony, meant for higher ranking officials. Such a woman was unusual at a woodland temple, even one as large as this on appeared to be.

He had counted more than 20 monks in varies levels of training, and many more visitors. They had not seen him as they were focused on their own problems, heading towards the main temple on the other side of the clearing. Okita and himself seemed to be in a building used by the monks or other residents personally, not by mere daily visitors. High ranking officials would have very little use for such a simple place though. So why was this woman here?

Tokio's eyes darted when she felt his stare and after a quick glance she blushed and answered his unspoken question. She seemed to have a knack for answering unspoken questions.

"I am the daughter of the late Tanagi Tenchiki. I now reside with his brother, my uncle, and his wife. I have just recently come of age to marry and my uncle is attempting to find me a suitable husband. I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why, to get a last free look at nature. You see I..."

She halted immediately, blushing, realizing what she was about to reveal to a stranger. Saitou raised his eyebrows. He had noted the passion behind her wish for freedom from what appeared to be restraining social commitments. Her eyes had sparked with life briefly, and her smile became carefree. This woman wanted out, in this society all too often people found themselves in position where there was no outlet for their frustration at life's path. Tokio was in this position, or she soon would be. He almost felt sorry for the girl, for she looked to be 16.

"My uncle was kind enough to allow me to come here for a few months, I am grateful" She said softly, the polite woman back in place. Saitou just sat there drinking his tea, believing she will continue talking on her own, as women tend to, and he wanted nothing to do with the conversation now.

She disappointed him. Tokio, like himself, seemed to relish the silence. She sat there quietly sipping her tea and closing her eyes.

Truthfully, she was listening; to his breath, the sound of the cup; attempting to calm herself to his presence to ask an important question. She looked at him and decided not to ask. As much as she wanted to know, she couldn't bare the weight of the answer just yet.

After nearly ten minutes of this, Okita and his guide returned. The monk called Tokio out as Okita came in.

"So? What did you and Tokio-san talk about?" He asked cheerfully. Saitou raised his head and glared at his giddy friend.

"What happened to the army?" he said by way of a response.

"They were taken care of. Apparently, Tokio-san's brother is omnitsu and some of his friends were in the area and heard the ruckus. They decided the enemy was too close to the temple, to Tokio-san, for comfort and disposed of them for said crime. They then called the monks to take care of us. I'm afraid was only conscious long enough to see them enter the area and did not get a description. They left once the threat was dealt with. Tokio-san was not told this as she is quite upset at her brother and his friends for joining a ninja clan in the first place."

Saitou sat quietly, listening to all this. When Okita finished, he simply nodded.

"What do you make of little Tokio-san?" Saitou looked at him. His normal bubbly friend was serious in his question, watching Saitou for any sign of an answer.

"She is entertaining, nothing more." He stated flatly. Okita just smiled. It is nice to see him liking her; she might be a good influence on you, Saitou-san

This is when the monk and Tokio returned. "I hope you both are comfortable. Tokio-dono tells me you both will be up for leaving on the morrow" Saitou looked at him, that can't be right! At the rate I'm moving today, I shouldn't be fit for a journey for several days. Are they trying to get rid of us? Even Okita's wounds will still be healing tomorrow, considering his normal healing rate. "Please, I have a favor to ask of you. Tokio-dono and her friend are returning to her beloved uncle's home at the same time. May we impose upon you to escort them home? As the streets are rather dangerous in this time, we wish no ill will to befall them." Tokio just bowed her head humbly behind the monk as he half bowed in requesting help.

"We would be happy to escort Tokio-san home to Tanagi-sama's house, on one condition. From now on Tokio-san must call me Sou-chan as I'm in her debt for tending to our injuries." Okita smiled disarmingly.

The monk looked back at Tokio, who bowed her head in compliance.

"Good, it's settled then you four will depart on the morrow."

Saitou still rose before everyone else the next morning. He always did, even at Headquarters. He went outside and began slow exercises to determine the amount of damage done to his leg. He was surprised to find only minimal pain, though he was very sore. He paused, confused.

"Would you like some tea?" A small voice floated over from the terrace behind him. He had sensed someone approaching, however, their chi had felt similar to Okita's so he had assumed he had woken the Shinsengumi captain. They both had a calm composed exterior that hid an intelligence as well as an inner turmoil to conquer. Okita's growing sickness was his fight, but this woman seemed to also have an inner struggle.

Tokio had just remained on the terrace waiting for his answer. He nodded and came over to sit with the woman. Tokio spoke as she poured the tea,

"If you will allow, I will complete my treatment of your injury." Her voice was quiet, the practiced voice of a lady brought up to be invisible to the world of men. Saitou sipped his tea as he studied her. He hadn't taken the time the previous night.

She looked to be 16 or 17 with rich black hair tied into a braid bun (a long braid rolled into a bun). Her face was soft, giving her the look of a kind naive girl, but for her eyes. They were a deep yellow, almost amber he decided. The color most people told him his eyes were. Those eyes were what interested him the most about her, glittered with intelligence. An intelligence to be tested.

"Do you think Siako Ichimusu was in the wrong when he ambushed Sichiro Hanika at Tobafushimi?" She started at his abrupt question and looked at him. He stared at her, trying to discern how she would answer. Most women would look confused then say, "I'm sure you know best" or some other meaningless nonsense. They wouldn't listen to the question or if they did and they understood it, they wouldn't catch that the ambush wasn't at Tobafushimi. With her demure personality she should reply in the like. She surprised him.

"It is not my place to speak of any ambush, whether it be at Tobafushimi or Iwaki." He raised his eyebrows and glanced at her. Her eyes were sparkling, as if amused that he would test her knowledge as opposed to accepting her manners and praises.

After they finished their tea, Tokio rose and returned inside with the tray. She was only gone a moment when she returns carrying a magenta bag. The bag is rather large and is built for carrying on one's back as opposed to one's shoulder or side.

She sets it down and reaches into the bag. The next process fascinates Saitou as Tokio pulls out several bottles and a bowl. Then, while visually searching through leaves on one side, she pours and mixes several different powders in the bowl. Her hands flew from the bottles to bowl to leaves and back again with a speed that probably rivaled the Battousi's.

Tokio could have done this in her sleep she had performed it so often. Let's put on a show. She smirked slightly as she pushed her speed to its limits, adding unneeded motions to increase the effect. She was enjoying his mental prowess.

Tokio moved to Saitou and began to gently remove the bandages wrapped around his leg. Saitou simply watched her quick, efficient movements. When he saw the wound itself his eyebrows rose slightly; it was a bright baby blue. She began to apply the mixture, created from her previous antics, which was now bright green.

Had he bee a lesser man, he probably would have jumped, her hands had been cool but the paste was freezing! Saitou forced his body to relax and adjust as she continued to spread her potion. Partway through the process he sensed his comrade approaching. Cheerful as ever, Okita beamed at them,

"Morning it is, today we go, have fun we must, we go when?" Chuckling at his own foolishness, he looked over at Tokio.

Smiling at his antics, she answered, "Saitou-sama will be up and about after breakfast"

"Ah yes, how goes the woes from the pointed peg through his leg?" Okita asked about the wound. Saitou shout his companion a look, but Tokio answered.

"It is healing nicely"

"But it was blue, and now it is orange!" He responded humorously.

Tokio just smiled, "The color will wash off in an hour or so, While won't be any permanent damage, there might be a visual scar." She frowned slightly at this last statement. Okita noticed and jumped in,

"Now, at least Saitou-san can walk, right?" he smiled hopefully at her.

Tokio looked up, a slight smile graced her features,” Thank you Sou-kun"

Immediately the smile disappeared as she looked mortified, her hands flying to her mouth. Okita just clapped his hands and hopped around celebrating this wonderful new nickname.

Tokio giggled. Saitou looked at her. He hadn't heard her act girlishly in all the time he had seen her. It contrasted her subdued personality. He found he liked it.

01234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234 5789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890

Tokio's friend, whom they met at breakfast, was probably a servant of her household that followed Tokio around. She was quiet, not demure, more like a brick or a stump to everyone except Tokio. Most would find her stony stares intimidating.

Okita Souji was not most people. He chatted just as happily and fluidly with "the rock" as with Tokio. Her silence didn't make him falter.

It simply amused Saitou.

Akame, that is what Tokio introduced her as, joined them at breakfast with the intention to set off for home directly following the meal. During said meal, Akame and Tokio spoke quietly. Akame did indeed understand Tokio. Their conversation rarely focused on gossip that most women's tongue frequented. Instead they discussed benefits of smaller villages verses large cities. It seemed Tokio understood the fighter's acceptance that women did indeed have brain should they care to cultivate them. They discussed supplies, farming, customs and social differences between the two living environments. Okita took it all in stride, offering his humble opinion very now and again. Saitou simply listened with interest. This was obviously an old discussion between them. Here and there, they would approach a sensitive or emotional topic like social obligations. At this point Tokio would grow silent. Akame would give her her peace for a time, and when it seemed Tokio was working herself into depression or anger, she would speak up, changing the topic to a far more neutral idea. They both displayed greet knowledge of the subject.

Suddenly Akame turned to Tokio and whispered in her ear. Saitou couldn't catch much more than "Okita" and "sneak". Tokio looked at Okita, surprised, then back at Akame, "Really?"

At Akame's nod, Tokio looked back at the captain, "Sou-kun, I could make you some more food, there is no need to hide it."

"Gomen Tokio-chan, but I did not wish to be a bother."

"No bother at all" with that both women rose and left for the kitchen.

Okita glanced at Saitou. In truth Saitou had been watching his comrade and knew he had been grabbing cookies for later. He also knew Okita had only hid the sweets when both women were turned away. Akame still saw this, and knew Tokio hadn't. They would have to keep close eye on these two.

01234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234 56789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890

The walk to Tanagi's house would take over three hour, so they set out just after breakfast in the hopes of reaching their destination before evening meal. The monk waved them good-bye as they walked away, towards Kyoto.

The first portion of the journey was countryside, so they walk in comfortable silence. Okita and Tokio led the way. Partly because Tokio knew the way and partly for strategic purposes. Okita would step in front of Tokio should Trouble arise. This trouble arrived only 15-20 minutes in to walk.

Saitou was the first to tense up. Akame had been a foot or so ahead of him, close behind Tokio's right shoulder, however, when Saitou sensed company he moved closer. Okita, sensing both the enemy and his friend, moved in front of Tokio slightly.

Two little dudes slid in front of Okita. They were built like a toad and a snake. H e just smirked at them, clicking his sword into ready position.

At the same time, three guys landed at the rear of the group. Saitou, whose back was already to Akame and Tokio, lowered his position and tilted his sword forward. Both defenders could sense one remaining fighter hidden in the woods but began to ignore him as the fight began.

Okita drew his sword just as the snake-man slithered in for the kill. The attacker jumped back as Okita swung his sword out to the first move of his jutsu. The frog tried to slash him in the back, forcing him to leap forward, following snake-man.

Saitou pulled himself into his first gotatsu stance. As he charged, two of the men charged his sides. As he was pulled into the heat of battle he glanced at the squabble his comrade was involved in and seeing that Okita was holding his own, he turned back to his fight.

Not a moment later a big guy with a spiked club landed between Tokio and Akame. He turned and swung at Tokio. She ducked, and stepped back. Akame was trying to come around and help but Tokio kept dodging in the wrong direction and kept her attacker between them.

After the third swing of the club, Saitou was able to jump in, having dealt with his own adversaries. As Saitou and Big Guy dueled, well more Saitou hopping around the club like some crazed ping pong ball, Okita stepped over and pulled Akame out of danger. Tokio, herself, had retreated behind the danger line off to the side of the road. Saitou quickly dispatched his enemy, who fell to the ground with a great thud, glancing at Okita and Akame, determining that a small scratch was all their damage, he turned towards Tokio to ensure her no more involvement with such ruffians.

Tokio, once she saw the completion of the battle, began venturing back towards the middle of the road.

Saitou studied her as they walked towards each other. Her stride was controlled. Usually she glided with practiced grace, more so than most high court ladies, but right now her step was purposeful, as if wary of everything. He also noticed she was holding her left hand oddly as if hiding it from view. A few quick strides on his part and he was along side Tokio.

She looked up at him, startled. He firmly but gently wrapped his fingers around her slim wrist. She looked up and then down as he brought her hand into sight. There was a gash on both sides of her hand.

"Tokio-san! You have been hurt!" Okita exclaimed as he and Akame bounced over, well Okita bounced. Akame skitted quietly. They waited, anxiously on the other side of the fallen enemies as Saitou guided Tokio to them. Actually, Akame looked more irritated at Okita who looked downright frantic. Indeed he was scurrying between pleading with Akame that Tokio would be alright, to which she rolled her eyes, and fidgeting at the edge of the battle field that used to be the road. In fact, he was staying within a certain distance of Akame, in order to keep a protective eye on her.

When Tokio and Saitou came within that radius, he rushed over and began fussing over Tokio like a mother hen. He had been bouncing around her for several minutes before Tokio gently reprimanded him, "If you keep moving you'll lose more blood."

"Oh, don't worry about me-what about you-this is just a scratch-you have a much bigger injury..."

"We should bandage it up anyway" she said with a small smile.

Somehow Tokio talked Okita into sitting as she put a bandage around his ankle. The scratch was indeed small, but no sense in letting it getting infected. After she was done Okita sprang up, nearly knocking noses with Tokio.

"Now, Tokio-san, we must tend to your injury, Akame?"

"Akame, I'm afraid, never got the hang of bandaging wounds Sou-kun" Tokio said quietly as her friend's brow creased and she looked down, seemingly ashamed.

"Well then, there's no hope for it. I'll bandage your hand. Here I go"

Okita, normally rather adept at bandaging wounds, was failing at his task miserably. He was still bouncing around, it was so bad that Tokio's wrist was likely to be sprained before done. Finally, Saitou grabbed the bandage out of Okita's hand and shoved his bouncing buddy aside.

He knelt in front of Tokio and proceeded to calmly bandage her wrist. The wrist was quite slender as was her hand itself. Her fingers were graceful and well-kept. Her nails were shapely and clean despite living in the woods for so long.

As Saitou bandaged her hand Tokio took this opportunity to study him. While his face remained hard and impassive, his fingers were gentle. He held her hand firmly in one hand and gracefully wound the bandage around her wrist. Tokio's eyes began to flit towards their comrades. The swordsman apparently had decided that since Saitou was handling one woman he should entertain the other. He was, therefore, re-enacting the battle for Akame in the most spirited fashion.

She was not entertained.

With all crises handled, they began their journey again, each unconsciously taking up their previous configuration. They continued this way for quite some time, Okita and Tokio leading and chatting with Akame behind Tokio and Saitou a step behind her. A block or so from "home", Tokio began to slow and grow pensive. Akame, sensing her friend's change in attitude, even perhaps anticipating it, hastened to catch up. Indeed, both men noticed Tokio becoming melancholy and Akame's sudden presence next to her friend. Okita dropped back to join Saitou as they approached the Tanagi residence.

As Tokio opened the door, she turned and began thanking Saitou and Okita for their assistance. However, the door swung open and a chunky man walked out.

"Tokio! Why do you send these good men away so soon. We shall invite them in for tea."

Tokio, tensing at his arrival answered, "I only thought they may have other duties and I shouldn't keep them, Uncle."

The fighters looked at Tokio. Akame had disappeared the second the door was opened, so that left Tokio with the three men.

Tokio was looking down, in a subdued fashion. Her voice was quiet and serene. In fact, the only indication that she wasn't as calm as before was her hands. Normally folded in front of her waist delicately, they were clenched tightly, almost shaking in apprehension.

"Nonsense, come in all. Anjo take our guests to the sitting room."

As the servant led the warriors, Tanagi-san gripped Tokio's wrist and pulled her in a different direction. She winced was she followed him.

After they had been seated, Saitou focused his senses to try and locate Tokio and her massive uncle. He heard shouts from a room beyond and a quiet whimper but could make out no intelligible sounds.

Then the door opened, admitting Tokio with a tea tray, followed by her uncle and a woman who was probably her aunt. As Okita began hellos and conversation, Saitou focused on Tokio. Something was amiss.

Then he put his finger on it, she looked scared. The woman looked terribly frightened and subdued. Confused, though he would never show it, Saitou brought himself back into his comrade's reality and to the conversation which strangely enough seemed focused around women. Apparently Tanagi was the person trying to marry Tokio off and looked as if he was adamant about doing it.

"Control, that's what it's all about, right Tokio?"

"Yes Uncle."

"See, she'll make a fine wife. We want her settled before we journey out of the country. After all, we can't be bothered with carting the along, right Tokio?"

"Yes Uncle." Tokio looked more unhappy with every word but remained as composed as ever.

The rest of the service was more of the same with inquiries into the warriors opinion of woman and marriage and a promise to see them at the gathering the following evening. It was a party arranged between Kondou and the politicians in town. One of the purposes was indeed the display of eligible young ladies.

In fact, this functions true purpose, or so Saitou had heard was to insure a wife for himself and Harada. Harada was an obvious problem. They had had many complaints in regards to him but why did Saitou need a wife? He liked being 'over dedicated' to his vow, as his commander had put it and preferred battle to soft company. Nonetheless, he was told to find a wife at this party, no ifs, ands, ors, or buts.

A/N: hi guys. Sorry this took so long I have school breathing down my neck. Here's the next chapter for mm.org. Eventually I may change the size of the chapters on ff.net too.

 

Ja Ne