Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Romantic Tales of the Meiji ❯ The Mibu Wolf Protects it's Pack: ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Rurouni Kenshin
Romantic Tales of the Meiji

Episode One
The Mibu Wolf Protects it's Pack:
Reunion of Hajime Saitoh and Souji Ayama


"Captain Goro," A police officer came up to the ex-Shinshingumi Captain, "We found the
body sir."

"And?" He asked lighting up a cigarette, looking serious.

"We can't tell who it is," The police officer looked like he was about to throw up, "The
killer shed off the skin of his face and," He visibly shuddered, "And," Before he could
say another word, the man turned and vomited all over the wooden board walk.

Hajime Saitoh(aka Gorou Fujita) sneered, rolling his eyes at such a show of weakness. The officer
was an obvious rookie.

"If you can't handle this job, then quit," Was his cold reply. "And become a rice seller. It's
a clean job, this is not."

The officer continued his sickness and Saitoh walked toward the crime scene. True to the words
of his officer, the man's face had been completey shed off, only his eyeballs and bits of
muscle were left. From the state of the jaw, the man had been alive when this happened. The
corpses hands were tied behind his back and clothes torn away from the body. Saitoh turned the
body over carefully, Kanji words were engraved in the man's back.: Beware Battosai,Death is
Swift, Hell awaits.

Saitoh put out his cigarette, "So the Battosai has made another enemy. I suppose it's my job
to get ahold of the Manslayer."

"Captain," A different officer then before, older and more experianced ran over to his commanding
officer. "Captain! We have a witness!"

Saitoh stood quietly, "Who is it?"

"A young woman sir," He siad out of breath, "She claims that a man left this Inn around 9:30
this evening." He indicated to the Red Dragon Inn, it and the next door Pottery shop created
the alley way where the murder had taken place.

"I'll be interrogating her," He said, " Have the squadrin search this entire alley way for clues.
Do not disturb anything."

"Yes Sir!"

Inside the Inn, the Landlady sat silently at on of the tables. She was around forty years old
with greying black hair and dark brown eyes, anything but young. She smiled up at Saitoh, it
was fake smile worn for show.

"You must be the Investigator Gorou," She stood, "Would you like something to drink?"

"Tea, please," He sat across from her.

"Brat!" The woman called behind her and into the kitchen. "Bring two cups of tea in here
at once." No response came.

"Let's get to business," Saitoh looked at the woman, "First tell me your name." A command, he
had no time for requests.

"It's Muragami Nuriko," She said calmly.

"You seem rather calm," He noted. "Tell me everything you know from start to finish. Do not leave
out any detail."

"The man was a tenant, a rather rude one at that. Didn't speak much and only came out of his room
at night. He left this evening. About twenty minutes later I heard a bunch of clattering
out in the alleyway, Of course I logically thought it was just the cats. The night before, the
man had the first visitor to his room, another man, only this one wore a cloak and mask, I
couldn't see his face. But he had amber eyes, bright amber eyes of the likes I"ve never seen.
They got into an argument and the man left, in a huff, he didn't even pay for his meal."

"Are you the one who found the body?" Saitoh questioned, "And do you know how old he might be?"

"No, one of my girls did, Aya-chan. Speaking of her where is our tea, AYA-"

"-Forget about that right now," He voiced loudly, growing annoyed with this woman. "Could you
tell how old he was?"

"From his voice he sounded about, oh I don't know, somewhere in his late twenties. Possibly
younger, he didn't have any wrinkles around his eyes."

"You were very observant of his eyes."

"Well actually a few of my girls were talking about him and Aya-chan said he had amber eyes.
It just stuck with me."

"I'd like to talk with this Aya girl," Saitoh commanded pulling out another cigarette. 'She
seems like a much more valuable witness,' He thought to himself, 'Especially against this old
bat.'

"I'll get her," The woman stood and went into the kitchen. He heard the old woman speak and then
a young familiar looking girl came out. She had light grey eyes, black hair pulled into a low
pony-tail with a white slender ribbon and hair framed her face delicatly, some of it shorter
and going into her eyes. Her skin was a light ivory color with a faint blush on her cheeks. A
lavender kimono clad her petite yet curvious body and hid it with a dark purple obi. She carried
a tray with two cups of tea on it.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting-" The tray fell to the ground with a clatter tea spilling, making
puddle on the floor. "Saitoh-oji-san??"

"Ayama?"

* * * *

"Aoshi-sama," Misao opened the sliding door to peer in at her husband, "Your breakfast is getting
cold."

He didn't say anything.

"Is something bothering you Aoshi?" She asked sitting two steps behind the man.

"Yes, I recieved a message from Hajime Saitoh just this morning."

"And?"

"He'll be paying us a visit today," He said quietly.

"I don't think that's something to be worried about," Misao said with a sigh of relief. "And it
doesn't mean you can just skip a meal."

"It's a matter of urgency," He turned to face her, "This is about Battousai, apparently another
one of his enemies as resurfaced."

She gasped, "But why now? It's been two years since Himura stopped wandering and fighting."

He nodded, "I understand your concern for the Battousai. There's more to it then that."

"Is there?"

"He's bringing a friend of his, a young woman."

"Tokio?"

"No, her name is Souji Ayama. She's a witness to a murder."

"Oh, would you like me to send a letter to Himura about all of this?"

"No," He looked at her sharply, a look of warning. "This situation is delicate. Hajime doesn't
want any letters to be sent to Himura or his family. We'll discuss what to do when Hajime
arrives."

"If we can't send letters then maybe I could go there myself and--"

"-No! I do not want you involved in this anymore then you already are. Is that understood
Misao?"

"But Aoshi-"

"No, Misao. I will not have you put your life in danger, not with a child on the way."

"If you say so," Misao bit her lip. She hated not being able to do anything to help her friends.
It was very aggravating and her tolerance wouldn't allow her to stand by and just watch as
things unfolded. She'd become accostomed to being involved, but Aoshi was correct in this
matter. In her 'condition' she wouldn't be of much use. She would just be a liability.

She gasped as Aoshi embraced her, "Thank you for understanding, Misao."

She smiled and hugged back. It was rare and extremely diffuclt for Aoshi to show such a blatant
show of affection. She treasured every moment he did.

"Hajime-san--oh i'm sorry was I interupting something??" Okina's teasing voice came from the
doorway.

Misao broke the embrace and turned to face her grandfather, "No, please send him in Gramps."

"Alrighty then," The old man winked at a light red Aoshi and walked off, his arms behind his
back.

"Hentai old man," Aoshi muttered under his breath.

Misao laughed, "I'll get them some refreshments."

"Don't trouble yourself."

"Good day, Hajime," Aoshi greeted his 'friend'.

Misao smiled and bowed politely, "Hello Hajime-san. It's no trouble."

"Ms. Misao," Hajime greeted, slipping off his boots. "This is--now where'd she go?"

Misao and Aoshi came to stand beside their comrade as he looked outside into the yard. A young
girl was petting a dog, Aoshi's pet dog who'd been named Kodachi. Misao preferred to call it
'the annoying mutt'. She was on her knees as the black dog playfully licked at her cheek.

"Ayama, what are you doing?" Saitoh asked, his usual commanding voice had softened a bit, but
it was barely noticable.

"I'm petting the dog, what does it look like Saitoh-oji-san?" She smiled at him and stood.

Misao stepped foreward and bowed, "I'm Shinomori Misao," She still had a giddy feeling in her
stomache every time she said that.

"Hello, I'm Souji Ayama.It's a pleasure to meet you." She smiled warmly. The small dog jumped
up and down excitidly around her legs, trying to get her attention agian.

"Sorry about the annoying mutt, but we hardly have any visitors."

"Oh he's not THAT annoying, what's his name?"

"Kodachi." Misao rolled her eyes. "I prefer 'annoying mutt'."

Aoshi cleared his throat.

She laughed, "Kodachi is a strange name for a dog, but so is annoying mutt."

"Good point," Misao sighed in defeat, "Would you like some tea? I was going to get some
anyway."

"Yes, I would. But I insist that I get it, if you'd show me the way to your kitchen that is."

"Gladly," She leaned in and whispered, "I couldn't make tea to save my life. I always have to
have Gramps do it."

"Gramps? You mean the perverted old guy who tried to grab my rear?"

"Yeah," Misao twitched, "Please ignore him."

"It's okay, I got that all the time when I worked at the Red Dragon Inn."

The two woman walked off talking like old friends, leaving the men to discuss the present
issues. Saitoh sat across from Aoshi at the low table. He pulled out a cigarette and looked
at Aoshi, whose dog had curled up beside him, head on his knee.

"Hope you don't mind?"

"Not at all," Aoshi said petting the dog who was now laying beside it's master quietly, "Just
don't let Misao catch you."

"Thanks for the warning."

"I recieved your message and I would like for you to explain this in more detail." Aoshi said
seriously, "Otherwise I might not help you."

Saitoh ignored the threat, "We don't know the man who commited the murder, but we do know that
he is after our old friend Battousai. Then agian, who isn't? The girl, Souji Ayama saw the
murderer before he departed the crime scene. All we know of his appearence is that he's in
his early twenties and that he has amber eyes."

"I see," Aoshi glared at him, "And you want Ayama to stay here? You figure she'd be safest under
the Oniwabanshu."

"Yes, but I'd prefer to protect her myself," He admitted, "Unfortunatly, I'll be working on this
case 24/7 and won't have any time. Your ninja's are much more qualified to protect her then
my wife and three year old son." He also added, "I'll be leaving for Tokyo tomorrow as well, so
you see my problem."

"One other question,"

"Yes?"

"Why does she call you Saitoh-oji-san??"

Saitoh's undereye twitched, " I knew her elder brother, he was in the Shinshen Gumi at the
same time I was. The youngest captain ever. His name was Souji Okita, you might have
heard of him. I met her through him along with her twin brother and elder sister. Most of her
family has died of Turburcliousis(spelling?), she mircaliously hasn't contracted it and her
twin has disappeared somewhere in China." Saitoh put out his cigarette in a small ash tray
provided. "Now, will you keep an eye on her or not?"

"Yes, I will. Now for payment-"

"PAYMENT?!"

He glanced at Misao, she stood there with her hands on her hips looking dangerous in the only
way a wife could to a husband. Ayama sweatdropped behind her still holding the tray of
tea.

"I can't believe you would even consider asking for payment?!"

Aoshi blinked in surprise.

"Of all the nerve!" She turned to Hajime, "Hajime-san, we'll gladly have her as a GUEST. No
payment is necessary." She shot a glare at Aoshi.

"Misao-san, it's alright--"

Misao cut Aya off, "No it's not, you are a guest in this house as long as I am alive."

"Arigatou, but I don't think that's very fair to you Misao-san--"

"Fair?" Misao cut her off again, more softly this time, "I think it's fair if you help around
the house and help me with chores I can't preform any more." She indicated to her slightly
bulging stomach.

"Well. . ." Ayama bit her lip,"If you insist. I still don't feel right about this."

"Oh fuu! Just have your stuff brought over here and we'll set you up in one of the guest
rooms, won't we Aoshi?"

He nodded. There was no fighting Misao once she made up her mind. It was like wrestling with
a female tiger when it's cubs were in danger. He had such a willful wife, but it was a good
thing. Sometimes.

"Actually, I already have all my stuff," She jerked her head to a small satchel by the door.

"That's it?" Misao blinked.

"Well, yes." She smiled sheepishly.

Misaon gapped, "My goodness, where have you been living."

"In a small cellar at The Red Dragon. I was lucky that the landlady would even rent it out to
me." She saw Misao's face, "Oh! It's not as bad as it sounds. I got free meals and three sen
a week."

"A WEEK?!" Misao looked sickened.

Ayama quickly regreted telling Misao-san that. "Oh don't worry yourself! I was alright, it
didn't bother me one bit." She was immediatly reminded of the rat-infested, cold and damp
cellar with it's smells of rotten food and waste. It was always dark in there, even with the
small window and always cold. Her bed was a pile of hay with a two small blankets and her
satchel for a pillow. But it kept her out of the rain and snow, possibly the only good thing
about it. And the 'free meals' were nothing but bread and water for breakfast and left overs
for dinner. She'd lied about the three sen, the meals and room themselves was her payment for
all the work she did.

"That's abuse!" Misao exclaimed, "No wonder you're just bones!"

Ayama blushed faintly but didn't take the insult to heart. Sure she was a little too skinny and
pale but she wasn't just bones. It was the over-sized lavender kimono that made her look so
small.

"Misao," Aoshi tried to get his ranting wife's attention.

"What kind of sick-minded individual would lock up a poor girl in a cellar and call it a room!
Now that's just cruelity! Well you won't be sleeping in any cellars around here! And first thing
tomorrow we're going to by some clothe to make you some new clothes and buy you a pair of
sandals."

Ayama tried in vain to hide her small bare feet in her kimono, "No, I couldn't let you do
that-"

Saitoh took the tray of tea from the stammering girl and set it on the table.

"Come on!" Misao grabbed Ayama by the arm and practically dragged the girl to the bath-house.
"You're going to have a nice hot bath."

"But Misao-san, I just bathed this morning!!"

Aoshi sweatdropped and sipped his tea calmly, "Poor girl."

"Yeah," Saitoh agreed lighting up another cigarette, "She's being subjected to Misao-san's
kindness."

* * * *

"Goodbye, Saitoh-oji-san!" Ayama waved as Saitoh stepped onto the train.

Aoshi, Misao, Ayama and Tokio were at the train station in Kyoto. Saitoh just had to catch the
first train to Tokyo at seven in the morning. The station wasn't as crowded as it was going to
get.

"Be careful, Saitoh!" His wife called out to him, "Write me the minute you get to Tokyo."

"Tell everyone we say Hello!!" Misao shouted to him.

He sat down and nodded to them through the open window. He was dressed in a blue western style
suit with white gloves and perfectly shined boots. Tokio had picked it out for him, obviously.
The woman had an empicable sense of taste.

The train's wheels began to turn slowly and the horn sounded the departure and Saitoh left
for Tokyo.

* * * * *
A/N

Whew! Chapter one is complete. Do you know how long it took me to get this out??? >< Too long.
I"ve had this idea for a really long time. I know, I know Original Character. To tell you the
truth, her personality was played off of Filia from Slayers. (I really like Filia). She has
a past that ties into the Rurouni kenshin world so it's not just an 'Out of the blue character'.
Those always kinda of annoyed me. But I hope and pray that you like it because I have a feeling
that it's gonna be a long winded epic. I'm already planning out a sequel of all things. -__-
If you don't know who Souji Okita was then watch the OVA's or go to Anipike.com and search
for a site called 'Crimson River' or 'Silent Struggle' in the RK links section. (Those are
very good sites). ^_^ I got lotsa my info there. *snickers*