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Irresistible	By : kamorgana Category: Rurouni Kenshin > General Views: 5018 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 22
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Disclaimer: standard disclaimers apply. RK belongs to Watsuki, but the ideas, text and OCs are mine.
Irresistible
Epilogue: Tie
November 26th, 1866.
Tokio had woken up with a weird feeling that morning, and it had lasted all day. Getting out of her room, she stopped by the engawa of her father's house and she shook her head, trying to ignore her expectative state. She had the intuition that something good would happen and she couldn't have helped her wishful thinking.
Nevertheless she was wrong, she sighed silently, gazing at the uniform white mantle covering the garden, the forests, and the mountains around. It was only 3 in the afternoon and the sun was already setting, the first threads of the night mist appearing at the horizon, the snow taking rose and golden reflects. Winter was early and harsh in the Tohoku region, especially this year. What was the saying: "the seasons change faster in the mountains..." Nobody would travel by such weather conditions without a good reason.
Some had a reason, but not whom she wanted. Something good would happen today, it wasn't what she hoped; although it was surely responsible for her good mood. The idea of her closest friend getting married was only reminding her of her own wedding, hence her happy state of mind. The ceremony wouldn't be much more elaborated: the bride and her parents, the groom, Tokio and her father, and Matsudaira. Yet, no secrecy. Miyu would have the privilege to bear Nagakura's name.
Tokio brushed off her regrets of not being able to do the same with Hajime's, and smiled smugly remembering the obstinate campaign of her friend to speed up the wedding. She had been luckier in that respect and didn't have to wait for months of engagement. Miyu had never been very patient, and it had been quite entertaining to see her fuming endlessly against the hesitations of her father. Kojima-san, though he was approving of the alliance, was still worried to see his daughter risking to become again the target of the Shinsengumi enemies. Nevertheless, as Nagakura was charged of the monthly direct report from the Shinsengumi this time, the Daimyo had decided that it was the perfect occasion to complete the ceremony.
Yes, she was happy about it, but it meant that Hajime wouldn't be the one coming to Aizu. He had always before, with Okita, Nagakura, or Kondo-sama himself, but since then the rebels had made new offensives the war had intensified and in spite of the Bakufu's victories the Shinsengumi leader couldn't afford to send two of his captains at the same time. She knew that Hajime preferred to be on the battlefield anyway; hence she didn't try to get a favor from her childhood's mentor. Since they had been married, she had managed to spend half of her time in Kyoto and they could meet quite often. Except during winters... It was only the beginning and she already wished for spring to come.
She missed him, though. She had never imagined she would, but the more they got to know each other, the more her budging feelings for him had developed. He was all that she had always wanted in a man, thinking that she would never find. He didn't underestimate her, which was annoying when she tried to have her way using her manipulation methods, but worth it because he shared with her so much more than any regular husband. She had promised to be his ally and he considered her as such. Because of this she respected him and now she loved him, too. She had known when she had started to miss him. She missed his presence, she missed talking with him, the way he scowled and the way he smirked, the ironic tone of his voice, she missed making love and she even missed the smoke of his cigarettes...
To hell with it. She was a samurai wife. She was patient.
"Tokio-chan!"
Coming from the lobby, Megumi rushed into her arms. She smiled at her little friend, hugging her back.
"Father has something to do here, and said that I could stay with you...if you want."
She smiled. Takani-sensei had come for his visit to Tami. Her sister was making progresses, was more articulate and had gained physical strength; and although she was living in a retired dependence of the estate with Kikue, Tokio could see her at least once a week. When she was in Kyoto her brother, who was old enough now to be confided in, replaced her.
"Of course that I want," she said, and she went back to her room with the little girl. "I'm going to a wedding later, but I still have some time. My friend Miyu-chan, you have met her, I think."
Megumi nodded, then bit her lip and asked: "Ne, Tokio-chan, can I get married even if I'm a doctor later?"
Mariko's face appeared in Tokio's mind. They had become good friends and especially since the young doctor's relation with Okita had changed nature. They could relate: they kept it discreet, too, probably because living in Kyoto, Mariko was even more of a target than Tokio.
"Of course you can; what a weird idea!"
Megumi played nervously with the little medicine box that she had been given as a birthday present. "Are you sure?"
"I know a woman who is a doctor and married," Tokio assured. "Who told you the opposite?"
"The neighbor's daughters...they say that I'm odd."
Tokio felt for the girl. She was the precious treasure of her family, her father and brothers doted on her, and she was already as beautiful and smart as two or three others combined. It was enough to create jealousy, more since she had a temper and a natural assurance that could rub people the wrong way, but Megumi wasn't conscious of it yet. Tokio had been in a similar situation with Torimi. She had never been affected, but Megumi was more sensitive than Tokio was.
Searching for the right words to reassure her, she looked up...and discovered a familiar figure standing in the garden. Her heart made a leap in her chest. He was smirking, and he nodded to indicate that he was going to enter through the back door.

"Tokio-chan...Are they right?"
Shaking her head, she turned towards her little friend. Her lips twisted in a mischievous smile.
"No, and if they call you odd again...Call them morons."
***
"It was a nice ceremony," Tokio yawned, snuggling against her husband. It was late at night and they were in her room, which was in a separate aisle of the mansion. She didn't want to sleep yet, but to take advantage of every minute that she could spend with him. He seemed to be in the same state of mind, fortunately. He never needed much rest anyway.
Saitoh snorted, passing his bare arm outside the heavy blankets to grab a cigarette. "That's a way to put it."
"It was emotional..."
"That's what I mean. Nagakura looked idiotic."
"That's a way to put it," she teased, feeling warm as it made him grin. She watched him in silence as he smoked.
"Hajime..." she finally said, tentatively. "You know, maybe now we could tell about our marriage..."
He turned his head towards her, staring at her for a minute, and to her surprise he brushed his lips to hers.
"Not yet," he said. "My undercover mission isn't over."
"Takeda, is it?" she sighed.
Saitoh had discreetly executed Tani in May. His investigation had finally given results, and he had taken the traitor red-handed. Tokio had been in Kyoto and had contemplated the cadaver of Reiko's murderer with satisfaction and with the feeling that at last, her friend could rest in peace. Nevertheless, her husband suspected that Tani had involved his lover, Takeda, into his plots; and the last time that they had met he had certitudes.
"Not only. Takeda took over Tani's role, of that I'm sure, but we have another problem now. That's why Kondo sent me here. I had to talk urgently with Matsudaira."
"What kind of problem...is it Hitokiri Battousai again?" she breathed.
Hajime and the man had fought once and the duel had been interrupted, but through Hatsue, she knew that it had been terrible. Hajime had been wounded...so had the rebel, but that was a given. She knew that never her husband would lose a fight and was always confident that he would make it alive...except in a tie to death with the Choshu assassin. It was the only thing that she feared.
Saitoh stroked her naked shoulder distractedly. "Nothing that pleasant. Ito."
Tokio forgot her retrospective worry. "Ha."
"I know," he groaned. "You don't like him."
"Yes, and I told you that he was going to be a problem. He has no respect whatsoever for Kondo-sama."
Saitoh grinned at his wife's basis for deduction. If she was listened to, not worshipping Kondo would be more of a capital crime than actual treason.
"Yes, and we know that you are always right on your traitor-related suspicions."
"I was wrong only on you," she pointed, smiling, her hand caressing his rebel bangs.
"I don't know yet whether Ito and Takeda work together," he went on, his eyes not leaving hers, "Takeda has no clan in the Shinsengumi, whereas Ito seems to be gathering people. He prepares something and has recuperated the Serizawa supporters. They have tried to enroll me again..."
"...and that means that you will have to pass as a traitor, I see."
She tried to hide her disappointment. He kissed her palm when her hand wandered on his mouth. He couldn't care less that people knew or not, she *was* his wife, but her insistence to bear his name and be recognized as such were a show of loyalty, which he appreciated.
"Since you mentioned Takeda and his possible contact with Tani's allies, last time, I've been checking the accounts of the Daimyo and of some others, especially Fujiki's. I don't like him, and you always say that he's a seed of traitor" she added ironically, as he had lifted a brow. "I found nothing strange, no money disappearing. If that Satsuma cell has resources, it isn't from here...except if they have what Michiko and Serizawa had stolen."
He appreciated that, too. She was sharp and she knew how to use her brain. When she had said that she would be an ally, she hadntt lied. He had come to trust her as much as Okita and discussed of his missions more openly than with any of his companions. She understood how his mind worked, and he liked to have her perspective, even if it wasn't always logical. She was rarely wrong on her intuitions, though...even though he wouldn't say it.
"I(fve always thought that she had told Tani or the Satsuma cell leader, and that they had eliminated her since they didn't need her anymore."
"I'll keep an eye on the accounts, just in case."
He nodded. "But don't attract attention. I don't have to tell you how dangerous it is."
"I can assure my own protection," she let out, half-indignant.
"Tokio, you're a lousy fighter," he retorted sarcastically.
"I just began, and I'm not that bad."
"You aren't that good either."
She gave him a coy smile, trailing her fingers along his torso. "I can't be perfect in everything..."
Incapable to resist he bent his head to kiss her again, long, lingering, and then passionate. Later, when she fell asleep secured into his arms, he observed her for a while before he closed his eyes, wondering why he was feeling that well.
He had kind of missed her, actually. He had time for a half-regret for being a bewitched moron before he fell asleep, too.
****The end****
Author's notes:
1- About this chapter:
I like to weave on historical facts (^-^), and thanks to Mara-Amber who had the idea to look in the Japanese sites in spring 2003, I could reorient the plot and use Tani's assassination...and buy more books in Japanese. Saitoh is rumored to have killed Tani Sanjuuro in May 1866, though different versions of his death exist. I love the Shinohara/Saitoh dialogue about it reported in Nagakura's books (so RK Saitoh like (^-^)), and the explanation on why Saitoh killed Tani might be the only thing that I liked in Mibugishiden (aside from the presence of my favorite Japanese actress, Nakatani Miki...funny paradox, she was my "physical" model for Tokio when I began to write "Preys", before she was cast to play Saitoh's girlfriend in the movie). Saitoh also killed Takeda Kanryuusai, more surely, but in July 1867.
The saying about seasons is the one quoted by Aoshi in the last chapter of Jinchuu (for those who haven't read it�cA/M lovers, this should become one of your favorite scenes. Aoshi-sama's feelings and A/M future are crystal clear (^-^)).
2- About the title
I have a problem with the titles of my long fics...especially the first ones. I begin with being dissatisfied only to realize that finally they fit perfectly the plot. "Irresistible" doesn't only refer to the attraction between Saitoh and Tokio or to the latter's temper, but also to Michiko and Serizawa, to Kana's mania, to the course of history etc.
3- About the timeline in Irresistible:
Most sources place the Ikedaya affair in 1864, nevertheless when I started this story my sources placed it in 1865. I even found 1866 in others, so bear with the possible historical distortions. It fits for Tani and Takeda's assassinations. I placed Yamanami's death on February 1865 and Serizawa's assassination in 1864 (of course, his links to the Tokugawa family weren't that tight, but it fitted my purpose so I went with it). As I said in the beginning, I inspired from historical facts, but it is still fanfiction and not a historical documentary or thesis (word not to use in front on me since I finished mine, good riddance, LOL) (^-^). Knowing that Japanese don't always respect those facts (as in the NHK Shinsengumi! series) eased my burden and guilty conscience afterwards LOL. But I prefer to point it not to find those mistakes or distortions copied blindly.
3- About the writing period
This fic was started and completed a first time in 2000, and entirely rewritten from chapter 2 on since winter 2002/2003. The new plot was completely fixed when I began to post again on ff.net in summer 2003 and the latest details by December 2003. The writing phase was finished in May 2004.
Many, many thanks to those who helped me during the rewriting process; especially those who commented on the chapters before I posted them (L.Sith, Mara-Amber, Firuze Khanume and Mary-Ann). My deepest gratitude to Firuze Khanume for her support, her suggestions and for being there all the way. Thanks to Mara and Saitou Tokio who attracted my attention on characterization problems in chapter 1, since knowing that something is wrong is the best way to improve (if one wants to improve).
4- About the sequel:
It will be both a sequel to this fic, and a sequel to RK. Expect some characters of "Irresistible" to show up. I also plan another one on the model of "Secret Gardens", to cover the 1867-1876 years, four one shots in one story.
The sequel, whose title I still don't manage to decide (maybe "Irreversible"), will include of course canon pairings, S/T, A/M, S/M, a tad of Y/T and of K/K (but not much). Enishi will be there (of course) and his significant other won't be a surprise for my regular readers. *grins*
Thanks for reading and thanks also to those who have expressed their opinions, constructive criticism and appreciation of this story in their reviews and by mail. I'm very grateful for the time that you took to give me some feedback.
Kamorgana
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Irresistible