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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
- 2
- 3
- 4
Disclaimer: standard disclaimers apply. RK is property of Watsuki, but the plot, text, OCs and ideas are *mine*.
Irresistible

Chapter 3: The Court and the Compound
The nightmare was over. Saitoh let relief partly invade him, as the cortege passed though the large entrance of the Kyoto residence of the Aizu Daimyo, just after noon on June 3rd.

Matsudaira Katamori had the privilege of owning this estate, at the south of Higashiyama, since the Tokugawa Shogun had granted him the charge of protecting the imperial capital. In the late circumstances, it would have been considered as a poisonous gift, yet Matsudaira saw it as an honor. Saitoh had a very moderate affection for politicians and officials, who had let down the way of the sword for the luxury and intrigues of the courts, and were as unable to fight as peasants. Most of them were at best cowards, at worse corrupted. Matsudaira was different, oh, he was perfectly able to plot and arrange the elimination of his enemies, but he hadn't lost his objective of serving an order and his country: it was the center of his preoccupations. In these times of foreign and internal menace, such a character was badly needed.

Saitoh noticed four silhouettes waiting for them in front of the main entrance. The principal building was long, with two perpendicular aisles forming a large backyard. At the edge of the right aisle, another was making the corner, extending the building on the right, the left side reflecting the structure, which made the main house look even longer to the visitor taking a first look from the entrance. Each section of the wooden building was quite large, hiding behind a deceitfully simple architecture a labyrinth of corridors and rooms, whose configuration was easily changed by displacing the shojis. The ornaments were all but simple, though. The residence had been built at the beginning of the Tokugawa Bakufu, and wore the marks of the First Shogun�fs taste: rich decorations, in gold and jade, complicated red and white paintings were speaking of opulence and refinement. If Saitoh had had to give his opinion, it was too showy to be tasteful.

He had immediately identified two out of four persons in their welcome committee. The couple of a quite short, massive figure, and the extremely tall and lean one were too familiar to him: Kondo Isamu and Hijikata Toshizo. He also recognized, as they got closer, the average, there was no other word, but pleasant physique of Nagakura Shinpachi, the captain of the 2nd division. The fourth was a woman, she was vaguely familiar; he had probably seen her already, here or at the Aizu court. He couldn't remember, but Saitoh didn't pay attention to women: he paid in yen.

After he dismounted, followed by Harada and Okita, he exchanged official salutations, managing to imply discreetly that they had encountered problems on the way, though stressing the complete success of the mission. He then made a sign to his underlings, and they helped the girls out of the carriage. The woman approached, bowing formally to Saitoh. She was in her early thirties, the furi-sode, long sleeves of her green kimono covering an extremely frail body, indicating that she was unmarried. Her face was rather attractive, with deep brown, narrow eyes, only her chin was a little heavy, and she respired good sense and practical, neat manners.

"Kondo-san, Matsudaira-sama will very certainly express his gratitude to you," she began.

She spoke no-nonsense, yet Saitoh didn't like very much the arrogance in which she had addressed his leader. Next to him, Okita had tensed a little, and he could guess the contrariety behind Hijikata's cold face. Kondo was from a peasant family, and for these nobles, it wasn't worth the use of the honorific, yet in the Shinsengumi Captains' mind, his status absolutely deserved it. She could have at least used "sensei".

Unmoved, Kondo bowed with perfect politeness, and introduced her to them, or more exactly them to her, not to offend her arrogant noble ego.

"Michiko-sama, this is Captain Saitoh, who commanded this mission, Captain Okita and Captain Harada. This is Matsudaira Michiko-sama, she is the governess of this residence, and our Daimyo's cousin."

They exchanged bows, Saitoh getting unnerved at these useless assaults of politeness, and she reiterated her little compliment, before turning towards the girls.

"Hisashiburi desu. I'm glad to see you all here, and in good health."

The girls all bowed, too, Saitoh noticing a genuine pleasure to see the older women spreading on their faces. Except on Takagi Tokio's: her bow was extremely curt, and she had in her eyes the challenging light that he had seen directed to him before.

"One of you might thank the Captains," Michiko indicated.

Without waiting for any decision, Tokio took a step forwards, and to Saitoh's surprise, bowed very politely to him, then to Okita and Harada.

"Thank you infinitely," she said, injecting some warmth in her voice.

Saitoh heard Harada's little gasp as she then turned to Kondo, bowing even more deeply this time, her tone respectful.

"Kondo-sama, we are very grateful to you, for diverting your Captains from their heavy and important duties, to protect the unworthy ones that we are."

She even waited for Kondo to talk before standing up again, which was the highest mark of respect, and considering her rank, almost a self-inflicted humiliation.

Matsudaira Michiko, her slightly uptight lips the only mark of her displeasure, accompanied the girls to their rooms, which were to be in the right aisle, after a few polite farewells.

They left Okita, Harada and Nagakura smiling, Hijitaka satisfied, and Saitoh puzzled.

***

Saitoh growled as he heard noises indicating a presence in the bathhouse of the Shinsengumi compound, located in the Mibu district. Damn it. He had thought that he could relax, at last, and appreciate some quietness in the pleasant burning water of the huge wooden bathtub, after days of enduring the cringing sounds of the birdwits' voices. He had thought that rushing to occupy it, while the others were too busy describing the women to fifty drooling idiots, stupid enough to regret that they weren't part of that mission, would grant him some time to forget completely his frustrations of the last days, and get ready to meet Kondo about the attack.

He raised a brow when Okita came in, before closing his eyes again as his friend washed himself, without addressing him. He appreciated most of his temper, except for his tendency to gossip and the stupid jokes that he was cracking all the time. He knew that it was a part of his disguise, yet he came to think that Okita had chosen to play the innocent idiot not only because it fitted his boyish appearance, but also satisfied some of his silly likings.

Saitoh also thought that he would spare him today, yet he groaned as, entering the bathtub, Okita giggled. Here he was, he sighed inwardly.

"You can relax, Saitoh-kun, Harada won't be coming for a while. He's too busy to praise the beauty of our ladies to come and annoy you here."

Eyes still closed, he retorted curtly: "I would rejoice if you didn't come to bother me, either."

"Takagi-san is an extremely popular person at the very moment. She would be even more, if you had told Harada about her intervention during the attack."

"Imbeciles," he stated, ignoring the implied question of his friend. He had no intention to satisfy his curiosity, and Okita's next words showed that he wouldn't insist.

"Be indulgent, Saitoh-kun. They never saw a lady in all their lives."

"They can buy a woman any time. Prostitutes, ladies, there's no difference once they have their clothes off. Who of my division was there?"

Okita laughed out. "Are you going to punish them for a natural curiosity? Let them dream a bit."

"We're on the verge of civil war. They can dream once they fulfilled their duties...if they survive. Which they won"t if they don't focus."

"You'll be pleased to know that the whole third division is training at the Dojo. I think that the look you gave to Harada when he began his tale was quite of a hint to them."

"Fine, then."

Saitoh smirked, stretching his long legs. So the morons finally got it. At least his efforts to get some sense into their tiny brains weren't a total waste.

"You don't give our men enough credit, though. If Takagi-san is popular, it isn't only because of the extremely flattering portrait that Harada made of her. It's because of Kondo-sama."

Saitoh opened his eyes. Count on Okita to choose the precise subject he wanted to avoid.

Okita had lost his smile, and was looking at the ceiling, some old anger in his hazel eyes.

"After all that he had to endure from Serizawa, after all we witnessed...The idea of seeing him lowering himself again is unbearable. I think that even Hijikata has a good opinion of her, as far as he cares, just because of what she did for him. You weren't there, the first time I saw Kondo-sama put his head on the ground and ask this lowlife to think of our mission instead of his ego..."

"No. But nobody let me ignore it."

Saitoh had to agree with Okita. Serizawa Kamo, the former head of the Shinsengumi, had been lower than dirt. He had only heard about this incident, when the Roshitai was going the road from Edo to Kyoto, and that Serizawa, a noble related to the Tokugawa family, had burnt down a ryokan, because he had found the settlement unworthy of his mightiness. Kondo had taken the initiative to humbly ask him to consider the population. Serizawa's attitude just added to the grudges that the people held towards the Bakufu. This gesture had made Kondo win the respect of most of the warriors, who later followed him and Serizawa to create the Shinsengumi, when it appeared that the Roshitai had been formed in fact in the intention to reverse the Tokugawa. Serizawa had chosen the Bakufu side because of his blood, Kondo because of his integrity. It was why the kanji of "Makoto" was on the Shinsengumi flags.

"We all respected Kondo-sama's integrity, how he accepted Serizawa's attitude because somebody had to think of our goal, not of personal ambition and ego."

As usual, thought Saitoh, his personal link to Kondo made him forgot that Serizawa indeed had had followers, and that some of their companions weren't happy with the resolution of the problem.

"Serizawa is dead."

Okita's lips twisted in a cruel smile, his big eyes shining with hatred. "Yes. I was exulting the day I learnt that Kondo-sama had decided to act against him...and the day I saw the bastard's head rolling on the floor. If we have such a reputation, it's because of his exactions, after all."

"People need order, whether they like it or not. Inspiring fear is a good thing. It deters fools from attacking, and compels morons to obedience."

"Fear, yes. Not despise."

Saitoh didn't answer. He didn't agree with Serizawa's exactions, the man was a corrupted bastard, yet he didn't believe, as Okita did, that the support of the population could be earned with kindness and magnanimity. Fear was more efficient, and if it meant being despised in the process, he couldn't care less.

"Anyway, the men were enthusiastic today, to see that someone intervened to correct an affront made to him, even meaningless. I myself feel extremely well disposed towards her. How rare to see a young lady understanding men's worth."

"You give her too much credit, though. She doesn't get along with the other woman. It was just to bother her..."

"The way she bothered you?"

Okita had retrieved his teasing smile. Saitoh didn't give in.

"If you want. Matsudaira Michiko is the governess of the court. The little twit has simply a problem with authority."

"You're talking without all the information, how rare, Saitoh-kun," his friend mocked.

"Which means?" he asked, raising a brow.

"Her maternal grandfather was Kishibe Kazuemon. Familiar name?"

"Kondo's first sword master."

"Yes, and also Matsudaira's...and Takagi Kojuuro's, her father. Takagi is the first financial support of the Shinsengumi, since the beginning. I also noticed her dislike for Michiko-san, but I think that she acted because of Kondo, because she has been raised in a family where the worth of a fighter relies on his capacities and integrity, where Bushido isn't a mere word. I remember meeting her grandfather, once, just after I became a disciple of Kondo-sama, and if you had, you would think like me. He impressed me like no one ever did."

"That was a long time ago."

Okita had entered the Dojo at the tender age of 9, and he was now 23. Nevertheless, Saitoh let him talk. His friend seldom recalled his childhood, and it was a mine of information on Kondo and Hijikata, which was useful to an outsider like Saitoh. Moreover, that diverted him from stupid gossips.

"Yes, and Kondo had accepted me in spite of my age...but some other students didn't appreciate it. They had tried to beat me up, that day, and of course, I didn't let them have their way."

Saitoh smirked again. The people who took Okita's sweet-looking face as a reference to figure out his temper paid it dearly.

"I gave them a run for their money, and then I noticed Kondo-sama and an old man observing me. I thought that I was going to be punished, but instead, he told me about men's worth, and congratulated Kondo for choosing me as an apprentice. I never felt as honored by a compliment...even when you told me that I wasn't the moron you first thought I were," he finished, laughing out loud.

"It was two hours after meeting you," Saitoh protested with a grin.

"Yes, you figured me out quite fast. I was vexed, I must say." He stood up and had a mocking smile. "Maybe that's why I enjoy so much you not figuring her out...that's extremely rare to see someone surpassing your comprehensive abilities. I hear Harada coming, we'd better leave if you don't want to hear about Takagi-san again."

Saitoh got out of the bathtub, annoyed by the remark. He wished again that Okita were indeed a moron, instead of being so damn insightful. The girl's attitude had disturbed him. He couldn�ft get her.

"I don't care. But yes, the time of our reunion with Kondo is near...and I want to check on my men before going."

***

Tokio smiled indulgently to Aiko, who was resting on her futon, and dismissed the maids out of her friend's room.

"I'm so glad to be here," Aiko said weakly. "I couldn't have stood one more day on these horrible roads."

"I'm sure we'll have better conditions of travel on our way back. The itinerary was decided so suddenly, that they couldn't organize it better. In the meanwhile, you have to get well."

"Yes."

The voice wasn't assured. Tokio contained an acidic comment. She liked Aiko, but she wished that the girl would get a backbone. She didn't deny that she had reasons to be so depressed, but she shouldn't let it affecting her health.

"I'll come to see you later. Luckily, Matsudaira-sama won't arrive before tomorrow, and you can be in shape for the party," she said gently instead.

Making sure that the teapot was full, she left the room, closing the shoji without a noise.

Once in the corridor, she gave a look around, chilling. At last, she was in Kyoto. Too bad it was at that place. The deadly feeling lingering in the residence had always played on her nerves. She remembered, as a child, of being terrified, imagining that a monster was going to appear suddenly, coming silently from behind a shoji. She hated it, she felt as a bird in a cage. And it would be difficult to escape, especially with all these people around, this time. Don't let the atmosphere influence you, she scolded inwardly. She would find a way. She always did. After all, she was there for at least two weeks. That was less than usual, but that left her time enough.

She almost missed the camping outside, during the trip. These big spaces, nature all around, free to grow. She didn't really mind the travel. It had been all in all a nice distraction. Her thoughts drifted to Saitoh, and she shook her head, trying to discard them. He was a great fighter, and it bothered her to have to grant him qualities. Qualities? She had saved the day and he had dared to scold her. He had even convinced her that he was right.

He hadn't been wrong either, though.

How unnerving. Agreeing with a coward, and on her own miss. She entered her room, opening the other shoji, trying to forget about it all, glancing at the beautiful garden of the courtyard. Gardens had a soothing effect on her. She spent hours in the one of her estate, and she remembered all the times her mother and her had talked there, choosing the flowers they would use for the ikebana, or simply spending time together.

It was a more soothing view to her than the richly decorated room, the golden plaques almost leaving no wood to the view, and the heavy scents of the priceless flowers in the three big, century old vases. Her family house in Aizu was indicating wealth, yet not this opulence, and it made her feel vaguely ill at ease. Meg would appreciate that more than her. She smiled genuinely, thinking of the little girl, her love for beautiful, sophisticated environment, and her fascination for the court. Tokio didn't have the heart to break her dreams. She had promised to write to her, she reminded, and was preparing the ink and a paper decorated with pink sakura blossom motives, when a young voice called her from the corridor.

"Tokio-chan, can we come in?"

Reiko and Miyu entered at her invitation, bringing some sweets in a box.

"We thought that you might want to share it with us," the younger one smiled tentatively.

"Yes, of cour...Michiko-san."

The older woman was standing behind the two teenagers. Tokio's warm expression changed immediately into a polite, but distant one.

"I wondered if I could talk to you for a second, Tokio-san," the woman asked pleasantly, yet imperatively.

"Of course. Miyu-chan, I'll join you later in your room, is that fine with you?"

They left, nodding. As soon as the shoji was closed, Michiko looked severely at Tokio, who didn't invite her to sit down.

"Tokio-san, I am grateful for your helpful intentions, but we have rules, here. When you require a help that is depending on my authority, you have to refer to me first."

"I am deeply sorry, Michiko-san. I didn't think that asking for water to the residence's maids was such a matter of importance. Ours were bathing, and Aiko-san needed some to drink her medicine."

"Rules are made to be respected, Tokio-san, the matter itself is secondary."

Tokio took a good look at the furi-sode, saying sweetly: "I guess that it's very important...for you."

Michiko paled under the disguised insult. "Tokio-san, I am sorry to say that you need some serious education."

"I, for one, know how to show respect to a great man."

"This was also extremely rude from your part. To me, and to our class. We don't have to show respect to a peasant's son. This is also a rule."

"Your cousin calls him his friend. He doesn't care about your rules either."

"I shall have a word about your general behavior with him, and with your father. They let you way too much freedom, and here is the result."

The gray eyes turned daring, the sweet tones of her voice not hiding the threatening intentions. "You can try. They won't listen to you, and I'll have then to report the way you behaved with Kondo-sama...I am not sure that it will make you stay very long in the good graces of Matsudaira-sama. Considering your status, it would be a pity."

"Why are you treating me like an enemy, Tokio-san? I tried to be your friend. I tried to excuse your insubordination towards me by your terrible loss. The other girls of the court trust me, treat me as a mother, and you need one," Michiko sighed, losing some severity.

She watched intently at Tokio, who seemed to hesitate on the stance to take. She finally retrieved her absolute control, to state firmly and coldly:

"Michiko-san, I do not want to continue this conversation. I do not need you."

"As long as you respect the order of this residence. But I'll still be there if you need an advice," the governess said before getting out of the room.

Left alone, Tokio breathed deeply. How dared this woman want to replace her mother? How dared she allude to her?

She was feeling sick to her stomach. Yet, she had learnt to overcome her feelings. She had always more or less managed to hide what she really thought of Michiko, and she had made a mistake today.

Like she had made some days earlier, when she didn't manage to conceal all the scorn that Saitoh Hajime inspired her.

These mistakes could have great consequences, and not only for her. She should stay in control. She had to.

***

The six Shinsengumi were reunited in Kondo's office, which was a former tea pavilion of the master house that had become the compound. The separate building was a prevention measure against eventual internal spying; they all knew it. The intrigues of the Serizawa era were vivid in every mind. The room was extremely simple, the only decorations being an ancient blade, a calligraphy reading Aku-Soku-Zan, and the first Shinsengumi banner, a present of Matsudaira. Kondo was sitting at one end of the rectangular tea table, Hijikata on the other, Okita and Saitoh were on the right side, Nagakura and Harada on the left.

The latter was finishing his report, after Saitoh and Okita had made theirs.

Kondo looked at the list provided by Saitoh, his brows furrowed, not hiding his profound anger.

Hijikata took it to examine it. "This is indeed the Choshu-clan sign for the killing orders. We found it investigating on the assassination of several officials, that occurred weeks ago, here in Kyoto."

"Shigekura, Ishiji, and a Kiyosato Akira. It was my investigation," Saitoh reminded. "And I wished I could be allowed to follow it. The traitor I caught confirmed that they have a shadow hitokiri for these missions. That rejoins all the hints that I've gathered for several months."

"I charged Takeda-kun of it, for now," Kondo cut off. "The mission that I'm going to confide in you is way more urgent."

Saitoh took a drag of his cigarette, trying to hide his contrariety. He had been the first to make that guess, the first to get his hands on a killing order from the Choshu-clan and someone who could crack their codes, he would be the one to get the mysterious killer. Luckily, if the guy was as good as Saitoh suspected, Takeda wouldn't be in his league. His moment was only delayed.

Kondo turned to another one: "Nagakura-kun, are you sure that none of the description that your fellow captains gave you could be related to any known Satsuma agitator?"

The second captain, because the district generally attributed to his unit had revealed the headquarters of several Satsuma rebel cells, was considered as a kind of "specialist". Saitoh wondered if it was the reason for his presence at the reunion.

The calm man answered with his sensible, slightly broken voice. "No, Kondo-sama. And Satsuma is quite calm, lately."

"Too calm," Harada asserted.

"You only say that because you want more battles," Okita threw with a boyish smile. He had noticed how upset Kondo was, knew that Saitoh wanted to chase the Choshu clan's hitokiri more than anything, and the atmosphere needed to be relaxed.

The compound's governess knocking at the door helped his task: she was bringing sake and some yakitori, rice and miso-shiru. She placed the trays in front of them, sliding discreetly on the tatami, and lit several candles as the night was falling. Finally, with a scowl on her round and already wrinkled mother hen face, she put a ceramic ashtray on the table near Saitoh, with an imperative glare at the ashes he had already spread around.

"Thank you, Hatsue," he smirked mockingly, sustaining her gaze.

Kondo dismissed her with more sincere thanks, yet they heard her complaining loudly from outside, on purpose, about the rudeness of some "brat". Harada, Nagakura and Okita laughed heartily, Hijikata shrugged, Kondo cracked a smile and Saitoh's smirk widened. His crosses with Hatsue about the domestic issues resulting from his smoking were one of the recurring jokes in the compound.

"Let's eat while I explain to you the heart of the matter," Kondo started. "Saitoh-kun, there is a reason why this trip has been, as you complained of, "ill prepared". You know that Aizu is submitted daily to the pressure of the Ishinshishi, from the region but also from Choshu and Satsuma. You also know that our Daimyo is now in Osaka, with the fathers of the ladies you protected. Some merchants are already hesitating to support the Bakufu anymore. They hence went to meet an important one, whose commerce is essentially connected to Aizu, in order to push him to take our side and have an ally to convince the others. Yet, they have another goal. With the Choshu-han definitively supporting the traitors, and Satsuma waffling, Edo wants to be assured of Aizu's unconditional support. The agitation is for now centered in Kyushu, and the Bakufu doesn't want it to gain Honshu. The ladies' travel to the Gion festival was a pretext to reunite in Kyoto and prepare an official and unanimous declaration of support, that would be presented both to the Emperor, in Kyoto, and the Shogun in Edo. Nagakura-kun, would you explain the reason of your presence today?"

"I had words that the rebels would try to intervene during the trip of the ladies, initially planned by boat, with Kondo-sama and some guards from their fathers' estates. They planned, as this list confirmed, to get to the families to make the officials change their minds. I immediately sent a messenger to Kondo-sama, who was in Aizu with you."

Hijikata nodded: "We decided to modify the plan rapidly. This is why you were charged of it so suddenly, and that we didn't ask the officials to provide troops. They stayed to protect the remaining members of the families. We have to prove our strength, also, and this was a good occasion to."

Kondo put back his sake cup quite forcefully on the table. He didn't agree with Hijikata; that was obvious to everyone. How rare. They almost always shared the same opinion. And Hijikata's views were quite sensible.

"But the enemy knew our itinerary. Except for the first hours, we were quite fast. It didn't let the time to the rebels to re-deploy and attack us," Okita noticed.

Saitoh's eyes glittered. "Maybe that was why their attempt was so pitiful. Or else...Who knew the itinerary, here?"

"Officially, Nagakura-kun and me."

The third Captain turned to the Second. "I don't think that you're moronic enough to have communicated it to the enemy, in these conditions."

"Thank you for your trust, Saitoh-kun," the placid man answered, deadpan.

"Their attack was organized, though" Okita pointed again. "I'm afraid that the second option is the more likely."

They shut up, the unformulated reason lingering. There was a traitor in the Shinsengumi.

"Everybody is suspect, of course," Hijikata asserted. "The persons in this room are the less likely. You three were in Aizu, with Kondo-sama, and I share Saitoh-kun's views on Nagakura-kun."

"Saitoh-kun," Kondo added solemnly, "this mission was yours and so is solving the resulting issues. We have to protect the young ladies, in case the Ishinshishi are foolish enough to attack them in the Daimyo's residence. I charge you to find the traitor, if there is one, and your division will have its daily duties transferred to the ladies' guard. They will share it with Nagakura-kun's for the nights. Nagakura-kun, Okita-kun, I want you to find the man described by the attackers. Harada-kun, you, Tani and Takeda will assume the direction of the first, second and third unit when your fellows captains are unavailable for patrolling, like tomorrow night. You will be of course the only one to know the real reason of their absence."

"Tomorrow night?" Saitoh's tone was cautious.

"Matsudaira-sama organizes an official dinner at his court for the families of Aizu. You are invited, as he wanted to reward you. As you will be invited to any event while the ladies are in Kyoto, or until this conspiracy is solved."

"Aren't these new social duties a perfect cover for your investigations?" Hijikata asked.

Saitoh knew he didn't imagine the irony in his superior's usually humorless icy eyes and voice.

***

Late at night, in the deserted backyard, a woman was sitting on the engawa, both hands grapping the wooden edge, watching her feet dangling above the rocky ground. Back and forth, back and forth...She started to rock her head, then her upper body in rhythm, getting dizzy, containing a delighted laugh. She stopped as she heard a noise, and saw something moving in the azalea in front of her. A bird, she thought. She loved birds. She loved their little chirping and the sensation of fuzzy feather, so small and sweet things between her hands. Excited, she stopped moving, and smiled in delight as a little furry thing got out of the flower massif.

A kitten!

The animal trotted to her as she called it, sweetly, yet stopped just before it was within her reach, its hair rising.

Her smile froze, her face reflecting now entirely the expression of her eyes. She lunged forward, trying to catch a leg. Once it was broken, the little thing would have to play all the funny games she wanted to.

Too late, it had disappeared again. She stood up, her smile back. If there was one, there might be others. Giggling madly, without emitting a sound, she walked in the garden, as invisible as a shadow, whispering tentatively: "Kitty, Kitty, Kitty..."

TBC...
Author's notes:
All the elements of the plot are settled, now (^-^)
1- Shinsengumi History: The Roshitai was a gathering of samurai, who went from Edo to Kyoto in early 1863, officially to support the Bakufu, in fact, to reverse it. The incident between Kondo and Serizawa is true (though I'm not sure about the reason), they were both part of the Roshitai. They formed the Shinsengumi in August/September 1863, under the authority of the Aizu Daimyo (indeed charged of the protection of Kyoto by the Tokugawa Shogun). Serizawa Kamo was related to the Tokugawa family, he was a violent man and known for his sexual depravation. Kondo who was indeed of humble origin, got rid of him and took the lead of the Shinsengumi (in1864 or early 1865).
2- Okita: Saitoh refers to him as his sempai in the previous chapter, because Okita was older than he was (Saitoh was born January 1844 and Okita june 1842), and because Okita was in the Shinsengumi before Saitoh entered it. Okita Soushi (or Souji, or Soujiro) entered Kondo's dojo at 9. He was following Kondo since then, as well as his other disciples, Hijikata, Itoh and Inoue, while Saitoh entered the Shinsengumi under the direct sponsoring of Matsudaira.
3- Japanese language/culture: The kanji written on the Shinsengumi flags reads Makoto (integrity/loyalty), and was indeed chosen because integrity was Kondo's personal line of conduct.
The length of the sleeves was indicating the women's status: the long ones, furi-sode, meaning celibate (there were no wedding rings at the time).
I'm not sure whether the early architectural style was indeed Tokugawa Ieyasu's (first Shogun of the Edo Bakufu) taste, but if you have a look at his mausoleum at Nikko and the temples built there during his reign, they are extremely...rococo, Japanese style. They are beautiful, BTW.
Yakitori: chicken brochettes. Miso-shiru: bean paste soup.

Hisashiburi desu: Long time, no see.
4- OC: For the people who read Saitoh's Secret Gardens, this is the same Hatsue. More later.
Tokio's grandfather is pure invention of my part, as well as Kondo, Matsudaira and Takagi's friendship, but it will have an important role in the story.
5- Manga characters: As I had announced in Secret Gardens, this story will clear Megumi and Tokio's friendship. She will probably make a little appearance, later.
Allusion to Kenshin, but he won't appear, as I follow the manga timeline, and if you read Jinchuu, you know that he leaves Kyoto very soon. His first fight with Saitoh happens after Otsu, according to the manga. And allusion to Akira's death, the Shinsengumi was in charge of the order in Kyoto, after all, it seemed natural that they would investigate officials' assassinations.
Thanks a thousand to FiruzeKhanume, L.Sith and Mary-Ann, for their suggestions, support and corrections (^-^).
Next chapter: The Daimyo reveals part of his plans to Saitoh (but not all of them). A Choshu man reveals his clan's plan to the Shinsengumi (but not what they expected). Tokio is her usual bitchy self (but she has reasons to). Intrigues and more intrigues.
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Irresistible