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Rosa Canina in Autumn	By : hajimenokizu Category: Rurouni Kenshin > General Views: 1507 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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:
Nothing is mine. This is just fanfiction. No money involved just plain hard
work and sleepless nights. Also this is not a Saitou x Tokio fic. Alternate
pairings involved! Rating will be changed for later chapters.
Chapter 3: Him
and Her
I finally
found residence not at an inn but a machiya, a trademan's home where his store
is right in front of the house and the living quarters at the back. I should've
known that the upcoming Gion festival would render the place teeming with
tourist and even Japanese from various parts of the country. Perhaps it is not
such an inconvenience, the festival itself has been ongoing for almost a
thousand years and it does bring income to Kyoto. It is too bad that a grand
city is being pushed to the side by the government itself while it establishes
Tokyo as Japan's capital. I would even go so far as to say that the stubborness
of those living here to stick to the traditional, has been partly strengthened
by the alienating experience the people here felt during and after the
Bakumatsu.
Lazily smoking
a cigarette inside the garden, I am quite grateful that the owner, as long as I
pay him generously, found no reason to meddle in what I do. It is good to have
privacy and I value it quite highly. Looking around and letting my eyes peer at
the open shoji doors, I finally realize how Kyoto is slowly changing. Back in
the Bakumatsu, shops like these would never even consider renting out their
place to a transient visitor. It must be because times here in Kyoto are more
peaceful and there is a lot of competition at the foreign owned inns and
hotels. Perhaps it is good that there -is- competition, the rates for rent has
gone down quite a bit and the influx of visitors have risen in the last few years.
At least that's what I had garnered from the reports. It's been too long since
I visited Kyoto, only because it holds bitter memories for myself.
Ah yes old
memories... I close my eyes as the wonderful smell of tobacco filled my
nostrils.
"Saitou-kun
come with me to the storehouse we have captured one of the Ishin's spy."
"What
shall it be today Hijikata-san?"
We'll start
with the water interrogation first of course. Hold his head long enough under
water and see if he'll -talk-.
"Alright.
What if he doesn't."
"Then
I'll take over Saitou-kun. Try your best though, it would be best or he'll
die."
"Hai
fukuchou!"
It always
takes quite a length of time before any of these Ishins would talk, and this
one Furutaka is a stubborn fool. I finally gave up drowning his face in the
water after two hours and emerge from the storeroom, heading for the Fukuchou's
quarters to report. The man will die of course, but that is now out of my
hands. Walking the lengths of the engawa, I chance upon Souji just returning
from patrol. Ah good, looks like his men are all intact.
"Saitou-san!
Good evening!" Souji stops and looks me over. "Eh... Your hakama is
wet."
"I
know that..."
"Do we
have another prisoner?"
"Yes..."
"Eh...
I sure hope you kept the interrogation down... It would be embarassing for the
Yagis."
"That
cannot be helped, but yes I know what you mean."
"That's
very good Saitou-san. Ne! When you're done come have dinner with us. I heard it
will be Hide's cooking tonight!" Souji brings his hand together in glee.
The young woman has certainly garnered his attention. Perhaps that's not such a
bad thing. We all need something to keep our wits about us... However, there
are times I had wondered if it would've been much better had he fancied someone
else.
"I'll
try." I answer him with a lie. There is no need for me to torture myself
and see them together. Aside from this, I do have work to do and cannot be as
carefree as Souji. This will pass I'm sure. I should really one of these days
stop by in Shimabara, that should help ease this phase. I walk briskly past
Souji, wondering why I'm so fixated on that girl. It was not like we have
spoken at any great lengths. Perhaps it is because she is the only decent woman
of our age who is always around. Yes... That must be it. It is because I have
not had a woman's acquaintance... Shimabara should fix that.
I shake my
head slightly. I should remember those tactics taught by the Fukuchou back
then, I shall need them soon. It would be a good practice and if this mission
works out well, perhaps I'll be assigned to spy for some Meiji official and
stop some corruptness in the government. I get up from where I am seated and
walked the length of the engawa towards my room. It is getting dark and in less
than an hour I shall have to be back at the Yagis. Ah yes... The Yagis... Back
then it was indeed a phase, every man goes through it... The need to settle
down, just like I had gone through it once again with Tokio.
Removing my
uniform, I take out a plain formal looking kimono I had procured earlier. I
wince at having to wear it again. I've been so used to wearing just a shirt and
pants lately, it feels right after having to spent almost two years now in a
Keikan's uniform. I dress quickly and leave from there. Saying goodbye to the
owner, I tell him no one is to go to my room while I am not there. I am -not-
expecting any guests.
The walk is
not too far, Mibu is rather small now that I think about it as I pass the
temple. At least I have no official plans for tonight, otherwise I'd be force
to cancel this. Although, I cannot quite place why I am rather apprehensive
tonight. I knock on the gates in a firm and even manner, what greeted me was
Tamesaburou. Again, I'm reminded that time here has passed quickly. It is
ironic that the past three years, even after being married to Tokio, time seems
to have slowed down unbearably for myself. Probably because I did find some
peace and that somehow it is an alienating experience.
"Konban-wa
Saitou-san!" He smiles and bows to me and I do the same. "Yuunosuke
has told me of your visit earlier Saitou-san. You must forgive me, I had been
so involved in my writing lately..."
"Don't
worry about it." I tell him, watching as he suddenly grins. I wonder what
he is thinking. The Yagi's and I were never particularly close, especially
Tamesaburou. Not that I found him disagreeable, between us, there was nothing
to talk about.
I am led to
the main room where each one of us are given solitary trays. I sit quietly in
Seiza waiting for the others to seat themselves. Yuunosuke decides to sit
across from me and I nod to him, while Tamesaburou took the head of the room. I
glance around a slim man of medium height seats himself beside myself and I
vaguely wonder who he could be. I do not recall seeing him at all before. Still
I keep to myself, I just do not have anything to say at the moment.
"Fujita-san!"
Yuunosuke breaks the silence. "Please meet nee-chan's husband, Nagaoka
Todou."
"Nice to
meet you Fujita-san." He gives me a slight nod and I acknowledge it.
"The
women should come soon." Yuunosuke laughs, "Women... I'm so glad I'm
not married yet!"
"Hey
Yuunosuke... Don't speak like that. We have a guest." Tamesaburou
reprimands him and yet I see a slight smile on his face. It looks like if I'm
not mistaken, that women in this household are probably -slow- to move. Perhaps
it is natural for women... Sometimes I think Tokio does the same thing.
"Gome
gome!" Yuunosuke waves his hand and rolls his eyes on his brother,
"But I sure am glad the children had gone to bed early or else we'd be
running around trying to catch them... Especially Kioko!"
"Again
Yuunosuke... We -have- a guest."
"It's
alright Tamesaburou-san." I raise my hand, "It would be a shame not
to know how the Yagi's do from day to day. It has after all been almost ten
years." I say amused at the two brothers. It looks like they do like to
bicker, which is fine. I am feeling quite well rested so I can tolerate this.
"Ah here
they are!" Yuunosuke exclaimed. "What took you two so -long-? I was
starving and I'm sure the guest is too." Yuunosuke nods at me and I turn
to look at the direction of the door. A tall woman emerges first and seats
herself to Tamesaburou's right and finally I see her... Hide... I quickly turn
my gaze at the tray in front of me, feeling quite displaced all of a sudden. I
cannot put my finger on it but my feeling of restfulness banished.
"Fujita-san,
this is my wife Hanako." Tamesaburou looks at his wife admiringly before
finally turning to where Hide is sitting. "And of course you already know
my sister."
"Hai
hai..." I nod to both of them.
Hide looks
towards me and I try not to avert my eyes. Instead I look at her directly. I
wonder why she is looking at me quite strangely... Then it hits me, everyone at
this table has been calling me by my new name. She probably is confused.
"Yes
Hide-san... It is -I-, Fujita Goro." I chuckle a bit, "It must be odd
to see an old man..." I had wanted to add or a "ghost" but in
these situations being too familiar will not be proper.
She bows
deeply bringing her hands together, "It is good to see you again
Fujita-san... Did you meet my husband?"
"Ah.. Yes
of course." I say in an even manner. I wonder if she remembers... Or if it
even matters anymore. Perhaps not... Both she and I are now bound to someone
else. I smirk lightly and start to savor the food. Kyoto food has always been
distinctive a mixture of taste and different textures. Opposites... Yes indeed
that was the reason why back then why I was rejected... Perhaps it still is...
Or was it just purely circumstance.
My train of
thought is interrupted when Tamesaburou starts speaking to me directly.
"So
Saitou-san... Perhaps you and I can speak later..." He smiles, "I've
been working on this book, the Shinsengumi and I would like your input."
I glance up
from the food and narrow my eyes at Tamesaburou to motion him not to speak in
front of strangers... Perhaps to him Nagaoka-san is not a stranger, but to
myself he is. He nods in understanding and we drift off to talking about
politics, something that seemed to bore Yuunosuke quite a bit. There was
something I got out of the whole conversation though, that the moron sitting
beside myself, Nagaoka did not think much of the current government... That he
would gladly take the opportunity to procure a seat as a public official because
of the perks that came along with it. I nod with a wry smile on my face. I do
not think I like her husband at all... But it cannot be helped.. Most people in
the Meiji now thinks like this, it is true... That the government has quite a
few rough and weak spots.. And that is why, I chose to be employed there... To
get rid of those unnecessary weeds. Of course I keep my thoughts to myself,
there is no need to inform them of my activities.
With the
dinner finally finished and the room cleared, the men of the house finally
brought out the sake. I no longer drink for many reasons, particularly because
I tend to lose my patience so I excused myself to go outside and smoke.
"Do not
forget Saitou-san! We'll talk soon right?" Tamesaburou raises his cup and
I nod finally heading out to the engawa.
Flicking my
match and lighting up, I lean at the wooden column and look up to the night
sky. Here in Kyoto, I do not think the sky is as rich as that in Tokyo,
although I must say I pay no real attention to these things.
"I didn't
know you had started smoking." A voice comes from behind me and I turn my
head slowly. I know that voice.
"A man
can always have his own demons Hide..."
"So I see
that." She moves beside me.
"When did
you get married?" I ask.
"When did
you change your name?" She replies.
"Why that
man?"
There is a
silence between us. I wonder if she ever found out I hate silence. Perhaps not,
if Tokio has not found yet then certainly someone whom I have not seen in such
a long time cannot at all guess. Silence, I remember equating it for support
however it is not at all reassuring for a man such as myself. There is no
certainty in it, perhaps it is a sign of a strong man to be able to believe,
but I am just a man. A man who occasionally needs to be re-assured. She sighs
and tucks her hand into the sleeve of her kimono.
"He's a
good man, after Souji died I had a hard time coping. Chichi thought that if I
were to get married it would help... " I watch her stare off elsewhere
"Todou is from an affluent family, he is a good provider."
"Yes.. It
certainly seems like it." I say remembering the fine silk that he wore..
and seeing the fine silk Hide is wearing as well. "However... Even Souji
would not approve."
This I tell
her sincerely... Not to be bitter because I had lost once again, but because
this house... This family had always been quite patriotic, they had supported
the Shinsengumi. With what I just heard tonight, I question that man's
motivations. I hate people who are motivated by money.
"Well
Souji is dead and with us supporting the Shinsengumi... We fell into hard
times... Of all people, you who survive the Bakumatsu should know this..."
I see her shift slightly, "After all you did change your name."
I make no
motion to dispute that. It is true... There was a time when I had nothing...
Stayed in Aomori and grueled to get
food into my stomach, but that is another story.
"So what
has happened to you? The last time I heard of you was that you were fighting in
Aizu." She asks.
So she did get
my letter. I try not to scoff at her... I had sent her several letters before
to let her know I was still alive, barely maybe... But -still- alive. I had
given up though when she did not answer a single one of them.
"Maa...
Fought.. Lived.." I tap the ashes to my side. "I got married
also."
"That's
good Saitou-san." She turns to me and smiled. I cannot tell at all whether
it is a genuine one. Perhaps it is. She's always been like that finding
something good in any situation... Then it struck me, what had happened to her.
I want to ask but maybe it does not matter anymore either.
"So who
is she? The one who tamed the third captain?" Her teasing is very light.
It reminds me of old times and somehow eventhough I am supposed to be glad to
hear this.. Tonight I am not at all.
"Tokio."
I answer her indifferently. It feels alienating to speak of Tokio with her.
Tokio and I were also in an arranged marriage... However and perhaps it is
unfair of me to say this after we already have a child... But I had never felt
passion with her. If I were to put it, we had always been polite strangers.
Ah... Why am I thinking these thoughts now? Hide's presence is throwing me off
kilter. Finally finishing my cigarette, I throw the butt to the side.
"I should
leave. Tell Tamesaburou-san that I shall oblige him another time." I say
and walk past her.
"Oh!"
She laughs "So that means you'll be staying here in Kyoto for a while?"
"Yes.. I
have business here."
"I'm glad
to hear that Saitou-san. Please do come by and visit when you are not too
busy."
She bows and
finally takes out her hand from under her kimono. I wonder what she had been
doing with those hands. Maa... That really doesn't matter. Sometimes I think I
am an ahou for questioning things a bit too much. I bow half-way and leave.
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Rosa Canina in Autumn