~A Rurouni Kenshin fanfic by Silent Moon Sphinx~
Disclaimer:
I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters. This is for entertainment purposes only. I am not making a profit off of this work of fiction.
Rating: Up to PG-13; see individual chapters for rating. This first chapter is G.
Quick AN:
The main pairings in this endeavor will hopefully be equal parts Saitou x Tokio and Kenshin x Kaoru. Part I of the story will focus on S/T, Part II, K/K.
Chunks of the story contained within <>*<>*<> have taken place in the past. Just a warning, since the story overlaps between past and present.
Each chapter will be preceded by an excerpt from one of my all time favorite stories, The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, which not only has inspired me, but hopefully captures the essence of the chapter that follows.
Thanks to my super kewl beta reader Jin for putting up with my Saitou obsession!
And thanks, Stella, for helping me get this posted!
(Oh why must my computer hate me?)Further information about the accuracy of the storyline and other notes can be found at the end of each chapter. Happy reading!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Little Prince:
What does that mean--tame?
The Fox:
...It means to establish ties...
To you, I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes.
But if you tame me, then we shall need each other.
To me, you will be unique in all the world.
To you, I shall be unique in all the world...
The Little Prince:
I am beginning to understand.
There is a flower...I think that she has tamed me...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Part 1
~Saitou and Tokio~
Chapter One:
The Remembrance of Fireflies
"Miss...Kaoru!" A familiar honorific was heard from the gates of the dojo followed by her name at the entrance to the training hall.
It was the afternoon, and although the Kamiya-kasshin adjutant master's best student had finally grown enough to want to travel on his own, Kaoru still kept with her ritual training sessions, though they felt a bit lonely without the usual accompanying banter from Yahiko.
Kaoru stopped her precision stokes of the wooden sword and took a moment to wipe her brow with her sleeve before Kenshin burst into the dojo. Just what could the rurouni be up to?
"Why, what is it, Kenshin?"
"Miss Kaoru, this is going to come as a shock..." he began, looking at her as though she should brace herself.
By this time, Kaoru had grown quite uneasy and rushed toward Kenshin, "What? Did something happen to Yahiko? Or Sano? Megumi?" she questioned furiously, trying to account for all of their friends who had recently parted ways.
Kenshin lifted his hands up rather stiffly and brought them down on her shoulders, as if contemplating if it were a proper thing to do before he steadied the frantic girl with his gaze.
"Saitou!" he said suddenly, causing the girl to fall silent and give him a questioning eyebrow quirk.
"Saitou is married!" Kenshin declared.
Kaoru was completely floored, big swirly eyes and all. Well, this was something you didn't hear everyday.
"I know it's hard to believe," Kenshin continued softly, his grip tightening on the now wavering Kaoru, "But it is true. I actually found out during the incident with Shishio..."
"And you never bothered to say anything!?" Kaoru practically shouted, now completely back to her normal, lively self.
After Kenshin smartly backed away from her reflexive head swat, mumbling apologies and thankful she had dropped her sword during her previous shock, he attempted to continue on with his news.
"And his wife, Miss Tokio, is coming here today, that she is!" Kenshin explained.
"What's this all about, Kenshin?" Kaoru questioned.
"I had just been informed about a recent threat aimed at Saitou and his family. Apparently, he's taken it rather seriously and has requested that Miss Tokio not be alone. I have agreed to help him look into the matter, and offered that Miss Tokio stay here until we are confident of her safety."
"Well," Kaoru huffed, taking a moment to decide on the matter, "that's very nice of you, Kenshin, considering how you and Saitou aren't the best of friends. When is Miss Tokio arriving?"
"Um, within the hour, I believe," Kenshin said scratching his head.
"Oh." **eerie pause** "Well then, I suggest you MOVE your do-gooder butt out to make my bath! Honestly, Kenshin, how do you expect me to entertain guests looking like THIS?" Kaoru said pointing down at her exercise wear, which he always thought looked remarkably well on her.
Kenshin blinked as she brushed past him mumbling to herself, though he was able to make out the following words: beauty rituals...men...clueless.
~*~*~
Kenshin and Kaoru now sat on the steps of the house, awaiting their guests. Kenshin looked warily at the woman beside him, wondering if she was still agitated from his late warning of visitors. But thankfully, it seemed like the bath had done some good and Kaoru looked fresh and happy that she was now presentable-by her standards-before their guests arrived.
"What do you think Miss Tokio is like, Kenshin?" Kaoru asked. "She'd have to be a saint to marry Saitou, that's for sure," she added with a slight grimace.
Kenshin laughed softly at this, remembering his own reaction to the news. "I imagine her to be just that. All Saitou said was that she was a good woman and nothing more."
"I can just see him getting a really sweet and pretty wife," Kaoru said in an irritated tone. "That guy always makes out, even though he does nothing to deserve it."
"And speaking of Saitou, I believe that is him now," Kenshin said, springing to his feet and moving to the gate.
Kaoru was always impressed with his ability to sense ki, and sure enough, the wolf himself walked through the entrance not more than a few seconds later. Kaoru remained in her spot and attempted not to be overly obvious in her stares at the new arrivals.
Fujita Tokio did not disappoint expectations. She was the mark of elegance, surprisingly tall for a woman, yet still barely reaching Saitou's treetop of shoulders. She was a slender creature with milky skin and obsidian-colored hair, which shone brilliantly in the afternoon sun, even though it was braided back carefully and pinned in a sophisticated up-do. She was dressed in a cream colored kimono complete with pale green obi and Kaoru squinted to note a pattern of some sort running down her sleeve. Whatever it was, it must have reflected the delicate nature of the women who was now standing faithfully next to her husband as Kenshin exchanged a few welcoming words to the couple. After a gesture to move to the house, the visitors made their way down the path to where Kaoru was now positioned to greet them. The younger girl was desperately trying to gather some confidence under her plastered smile, praying she could somehow compare to the goddess who was now floating down the path in approach, her equally graceful husband hovering behind, yet with a decidedly harsher expression. Yes, Beauty and the Beast had arrived.
After introductions, the men parted to discuss current situation, leaving the two women to entertain themselves. Kaoru had suggested some tea, thinking the pale creature before her would probably not be up for swinging around the 'ole wooden swords, and remained uncharacteristically quiet, not knowing what to make of her new guest.
Kaoru should have known appearances are not at all what they seem. Tokio now seemed just as enigmatic as her husband, but far less menacing with a soft hint of a smile constantly gracing her features and a lovely melody of a voice. Meeting the woman face to face revealed much more of her character, which Kaoru noted held a surprising depth she would not have expected of someone she barely knew. Although Tokio's seemingly mild manners and fair appearance inferred of timidity or nonchalance, the beauty's wide, and quite striking jade eyes held a hint of mischief and sparkled brilliantly. Indeed, this women was very much alive, Kaoru discovered, catching Tokio's curious gaze as she began to pour the tea, and was most likely engaged in a scrutinizing study of herself as well.
"I hope you will find Kamiya Dojo to your liking during your stay. I'll be happy to give you a tour after the tea. It may not be much, but it's a comfortable home," Kaoru spoke to the woman before her to ease the silence. Kaoru prided herself of the fact that she had grown a great deal over the years. Perhaps it was Kenshin finally rubbing off on her which allowed her to so easily begin a polite conversation with her guest, despite her own self conscious nature.
"I like it already very much," Tokio said after a sip of her tea, smiling brightly. "Especially the cherry trees bordering the lane. How fortunate I was able to come here while they are still in bloom!"
"Yes, they are beautiful," Kaoru agreed. "I have to admit, I only knew about you today, or I would have surely invited you to come admire them before," Kaoru added the fact in as smoothly a manner as possible, wondering how Tokio would react.
The women let out a little laugh at this. "Ah! Am I really that horrid for my husband to hide me away?"
Kaoru smiled at her light-hearted manner and knew then that they would get along just fine.
"My husband loves to pretend I don't exist," Tokio explained as footsteps were heard fast approaching. A wonderful glint then came across her eyes and she smiled at Kaoru before calmly continuing, "but I think that's because he just wants me all to himself."
Kaoru couldn't help but giggle as the statement was perfectly timed with Saitou's entrance into the kitchen, meaning he had heard all of his wife's previous statements through the paper-thin walls.
Saitou, whose typical uninterested look had grown exaggerated in response to being teased, was followed by Kenshin, looking a little more grounded than his usual "head in the clouds" appearance, yet still completely oblivious to the little show in which Saitou and Tokio were now engaged.
"Enjoying yourself, dear?" Saitou's deep voice sounded choked with honey.
"Immensely," Tokio beamed at him, completely unaffected by the now less-than-pleased look he was giving her.
"Well then."
"Miss Kaoru, Miss Tokio," Kenshin cut in gently. "I'm afraid we must be leaving as soon as possible. The carriage should be here shortly. If things go well, we should be back this time tomorrow. Although I doubt you will experience any trouble, please take care of yourselves, just the same."
"Himura, I trust your Kamiya girl can handle things here?" Saitou spoke as he heard the police carriage pull up at the gates. "She'll have her wooden sword, right, so at least she won't be unarmed if she needs to discipline a miscreant?" The wolf's eyes gleamed.
Kenshin looked at the stone-faced man quizzically. "I have complete faith in Miss Kaoru. She is well qualified to defend against any unexpected enemies, that she-"
"Well, that's comforting, Himura, but I was referring to my wife."
No one could have looked more confused than Kenshin did after the wolf delivered his punch line, but with the arrival of the carriage, Saitou's wit was quickly subdued in a haste of goodbyes. Well, Saitou's was really more like a nod directed somewhere towards the vicinity of his wife, but it was an acknowledgement that seemed to suit her just as well.
Kaoru, however, followed Kenshin and Saitou as they walked towards the door, with Tokio soon joining the procession behind her. Every time Kenshin left like this, it seemed tradition for Kaoru to send him off.
"Good-bye, Kenshin," Kaoru said as the two men had just stepped out of the house, and even brought herself to mumble the addition of Saitou's name as well. Kenshin smiled happily at her and placed a gentle hand on her arm as he wished her farewell. Saitou had already started walking up the path and the rurouni had to take swift steps to catch up to him. However, Kenshin stopped and looked back to the house when he was halfway down the path, receiving a wave from both Kaoru and Tokio. The younger woman sighed as Kenshin gave another one of his reassuring smiles back to her before turning around again and disappearing through the dojo gates.
"He seemed reluctant to part with you," Tokio observed quietly after the men were gone.
"You think so?" Kaoru asked, and felt her face rising in a blush. "I always seem to call out Kenshin's name as he's walking away, just so I can see his face one last time before he leaves. I guess this time he beat me to it," the girl mused.
Tokio smiled at this, and then thought of her husband's farewell. "Hajime, on the other hand, was never good at good-byes, so he chooses to avoid the matter entirely," the older woman explained, thinking the girl might be wondering about the strangely empty exchange between husband and wife.
"Ah, but maybe it's better that way. Maybe that's how he survives all his missions, knowing he can't die because he never gave you a proper goodbye," Kaoru suggested, trying to be positive in the matter, but in reality having absolutely no clue how the mind of Saitou worked.
Tokio, however, gave a hearty laugh. "If only Hajime could have heard you! Oh, you'd be in for an earful of his favorite "Slay Evil Instantly" speeches and how the Wolves of Mibu fear nothing, not even death. He'd think it was a riot if you told him he couldn't die because of me."
Another soft laughing spell ensued, and Kaoru wasn't sure what to say, but she definitely didn't want the mental image of Saitou laughing hysterically and spouting rules of the Shinsengumi. Scary! So she opted to play hostess once again. "Are you up for a tour of the dojo now?" she asked shakily.
But Tokio had by then sobered up and, even after an enthusiastic nod, continued with her previous train of thought. "My husband says many things about his code of justice and honor. I know he still lives every day as a lone wolf of Mibu. But there is one thing that I must disagree with whenever he talks of his beloved group. And that is the subject of taming."
"Taming?" Kaoru questioned as they made their way outdoors. She would first show Tokio the dojo grounds before the setting afternoon sun fell too far in the sky to offer them light.
"You must of heard one of his favorite quotes before. Let's see-what was it? Oh yes, something along the lines of **ahem** 'You tame a dog with food, you tame a man with money, but there is nothing that can tame a wolf of Mibu!'"
"Oh that one," Kaoru commented dryly.
"I would sometimes just like to remind him of the fact that he is tamed! He is my husband and I have tamed him, just as he has tamed me. He is my wolf, as I am his wild rose, if you can believe he sometimes calls me that. Such an unlikely pair, but together...complete," Tokio reflected as the sun died down in the distance.
The two women unconsciously made their way back to the house in companionable silence, listening to the last calls of the birds before night. "Yes, sometimes the most unlikely people fall in love. But I think that's what makes the greatest love stories, don't you think?" Tokio asked with a wink, and silently inferred she was onto something.
It was then Kaoru knew that one way or another, this women would dive deeper about her relationship with Kenshin. She seemed to have no problem patiently biding her time, and continued on with her wise ponderings.
"I think it's fascinating how love can bloom in the strangest, most wonderful places. And how two people who may seem worlds apart can be perfect for one another. You know, Kaoru, sometimes people love each other for the oddest things! Things one can only see when he has taken the time to really look. It is these things that make a person unique in all the world, traits both good and bad, but that we come to treasure and love just the same. These things people also see in us, although we can't quite see them ourselves," Tokio spoke softly and knowingly, pausing to end her little lesson with a bang for impact.
"It is a wonderful thing to be tamed, to see deeper into a person and need them. But it's even more wonderful when you realize you are tame, wishing for someone...wanting to be near them, and to discover they stay by your side for the very same reasons."
"So here is the training hall!" Kaoru said quickly with a forced smile while whisking the woman into the space in attempts to brush away Tokio's last comment, which hit a little too close to home. Was she trying to hint that Kenshin felt for her in some way? That the
wanderer-no-more, never fully explaining why he chose to stay, was in love? How could she know that? How impossible, though wonderful if true...
~*~*~
"Shall we start dinner then?" Kaoru asked after the grand tour of the dojo. "I'm afraid I'm not much of a cook, so if you would like to help, I'd highly recommend it."
It was no surprise to Kaoru that Tokio was an excellent cook. She assured the girl not to be ashamed at her lacking talent, for the woman was once in the same predicament. But, apparently with all of her free time due to her husband's travels, she grew to be quite a gourmet. Besides, the mother of three growing boys surely would be in trouble if she didn't learn how to please a crowd. Kaoru had quite a shock at hearing of Tokio's children and almost sent the tofu flying towards an untimely demise upon registering the casual statement.
"The boys are staying at my sister's house now, as it is a summer custom. We didn't want to raise too much suspicion, and besides, her husband is a skilled fighter. I know they are well protected," Tokio explained, finishing up the last of the vegetables. "How refreshing it is to have a change from plain soba! Ever since Hajime's been back, that's all I cook, it's his favorite you know. Though I suppose it's my own fault. Soba was all I could really make when we were first married. Ah well."
Kaoru giggled as they brought the meal out to the kitchen table. It looked amazingly delicious. The younger girl couldn't believe how Tokio prepared the simple dishes of tofu, miso, vegetables and rice to be fit for a queen. And each dish was completely recognizable! How well they looked when they weren't burnt to a carbon-caked crisp!
"I have to admit, I really don't understand your husband," Kaoru said between mouthfuls of the wonderful meal. "He seemed like a bad guy at first, but then ended up fighting on the same side as Kenshin. And I must apologize for seeming rude, but I certainly couldn't see him with three little boys!"
Tokio smiled and shook her head. "Saying Saitou Hajime is a complicated man is an understatement. I've found with him, you must disregard the mask he wants you to see, you must disregard most of what he says, and you must let his actions be your guide. I think the only accurate thing you could call him is an observer. The information he can gather just in a glance is unfathomable. I think he should write a book on the human psyche, personally."
"Or be the subject of a book about psychos..." Kaoru mumbled under her breath, but Tokio luckily did not hear as she continued on about her husband.
"Nothing gets past Hajime. He could lecture about the true nature of everyone in this whole town if he wanted to. But the truth is, he just doesn't care. The great observer of men usually doesn't give a darn about anything not related to work, justice or soba...and me, of course," Tokio explained with the hint of a smile. "Although it was a while before I knew that."
"Really?" Kaoru said in a "do continue" fashion, taking a break from the delicious meal to give her companion an intriguing glance. Usually, anything having to do with Saitou was something Kaoru would rather pass up. And all the talk this afternoon was certainly an earful about the wolf. But somehow the information coming from his wife was a completely different matter. Kaoru did not know the circumstances of the couple's marriage, but Tokio did not seem repulsed by Saitou's lacking social skills or creepy looks. In fact, the woman seemed to enjoy her husband's company and appeared stronger than many a swordsman who broke under Saitou's cold stare as she battled wits with the wolf. Therefore, Kaoru was forced to conclude that Tokio was indeed attracted to Saitou for some odd reason. And, whatever Tokio had done to snag such an impossible man could come in handy for the girl's own efforts with Kenshin. Kaoru was determined to see what tricks Fujita Tokio had up her sleeve.
"Hajime and I have an interesting relationship, as I'm sure you saw before," Tokio began.
"You like to tease him," Kaoru observed, causing Tokio to laugh lightly.
"Yes, he's fun to tease because he takes things so seriously." Tokio smiled. "However he has grown softer over the years, although he'll never admit it."
"What was he like when you two first met?" Kaoru asked, now reveling in the girl talk. She had never had many girl friends in her life she could share such gossip with. Sure, Kenshin was more sensitive than most men, but Kaoru was too embarrassed to speak of such things with him. And Megumi would just tease her if she asked about anything too romantic.
"Ah, so you want to hear our story!" Tokio exclaimed delightedly. Even though Kaoru didn't seem to care for her husband all that much, Tokio was flattered at her interest in their family. I will make a Saitou fan out of you yet, the woman thought with a smile before continuing, "I had known of Saitou Hajime before we were ever truly acquainted. But it's funny how little you pay attention to others until you are looking with your heart..."
<>*<>*<>
The teenage girl meandered along a well-worn path of her backyard garden, watching the last of a rosy sky fade in the purple dusk. She sighed deeply at the calm of the arriving night, though she could find no peace in the silence, knowing full well the evening's dark cloak only concealed crimson stains of troubled times.
"Tokio!" her mother called, opening the sliding door to walk out on the deck. "Tokio, Sprite, you know your father disapproves of you staying out past dark! Come inside, child; do not make us worry."
"Mama, please, I am just waiting for the first fireflies of summer," the girl called. "I will be in as soon as they come. Just one dance, please," she said running a little further into the garden, as if daring her mother to chase her.
After a pause, and a few mutters from her mother about their own backyard no longer being safe, Tokio heard the wooden door click shut and smiled victoriously.
It had been her nighttime ritual, since being a very young woodland sprite 19 years ago. Every summer, Tokio would wait until the fireflies made the their own little dance of stars in her garden. She would twirl with them as they floated about, chasing them as much as her confining kimono would allow.
Noticing a few faint flickers toward the back gate, Tokio smiled excitedly and rushed across the garden, reaching her fingertips out to the tiny glowing orbs. She delighted in following the little flames, occasionally catching one or two of the winged creatures, only to whisper a soft "hello there" before letting it fly away. Such a deep love and connection with all natural things, as well as her boundless energy and enthusiasm, had earned the girl the nickname Sprite ever since she had first encountered the outdoors.
Tokio wasn't sure how long she had been merrily dancing with her sparkling little friends before she noticed it had grown quite dark, and she glanced back to see nothing but the faraway light of the lamps outside of her home. Deciding to only do a few more twirls before she worried the entire household with her absence after dark, the girl tried to make out her surroundings using the growing number of fireflies around her when they provided their momentary blinks of light.
Tokio reached out her hand among the inky forms of night-shadowed plants to discover she had bumped into something quite solid. Flattening her palm against the surface, she felt it grow ever so warm as she walked her arm's length up to the object. Hearing a slight grunt, the startled girl jumped back and stood deathly still as she heard a faint scrape followed by the light of a match. The orange glow illuminated Saitou Hajime's cut cheekbones and golden eyes as he lit a cigarette and looked at her.
Tokio stood completely mortified having just felt up the leader of the third squad of the Shinsengumi-the scariest, most ill-tempered leader no less-and could think of nothing else to do but bow dramatically low.
"Lost your way, little girl?" Saitou asked in his throaty voice as the darkness surrounded them after his match had exhausted, leaving only the faint burning of his cigarette.
Tokio was unable to think, let alone speak, and barely managed an "Um" before the wolf snatched her by the arm and led her back to the house, having no trouble finding the path of the garden even in the extreme darkness.
"I won't bore you with a long list reprimands, but if I have to hear your father complain one more time about his precious little girl wandering idiotically around in the dark, I will come put you to bed before the sun sets myself," he told her in his slightly annoyed tone as they approached the house.
Now, Tokio had scarcely spoken more than "hello's" and "good day's" to the man, who was practically dragging her stumbling form behind him, for his visits had only begun earlier that year. Besides, the girl was quite certain he hadn't said much of anything to her, so his lengthy scolding should have been enough to shock her into further silence.
However, Tokio was not thinking too clearly at the time, and had sputtered, "I am not a little girl!" rather defiantly before registering who exactly she was speaking to.
They had reached the house by then and Saitou stopped to stare at her most obviously upon the delivery of her statement, though whether he was surprised or angry or both, she couldn't tell. His expression never seemed to be readable, although Tokio was sure it could get even more menacing if he wished it. Not wanting to experience that horror, she inhaled her breath, as if trying to take the comment back, gave him a wide-eyed, lopsided smile, and exhaled a "thankyouforhelpingme" in a rush of air before scampering off in the house.
Tokio quickly dodged past her mother and escaped to her room, pondering what had just happened. She had just had a first hand encounter with the fiercest Wolf of Mibu and had apparently come out unscathed...so far. She knew Saitou was a man of few words, but somehow Tokio doubted his silence in this matter. The girl had a terrible feeling she would be hearing from her father about her "idiotic wanderings" shortly after his meeting.
Tokio was surprised with the arrival of a very peaceful morning following her previous night's escapades. So Saitou had said nothing to her father. If he had, she would have surely been scolded by now, for her father was probably the biggest worry-wart in all of Japan.
From that day on, the girl gained a new respect for the enigmatic wolf of Mibu. And she never again stayed out after dark.
<>*<>*<>
"It's amazing how the memory is still fresh in my mind, but I suppose every summer the fireflies remind me of that garden meeting all over again," Tokio said wistfully.
"Fireflies often seem to bring back memories," Kaoru commented, thinking back to the day Kenshin left for Kyoto. The day he had hugged her so tightly, had given her everything she desired, and just as quickly took it away with his departure. Yes, the fireflies would never let her forget that night.
Tokio smiled at the girl lost in her thoughts. "Shall we make some tea?" she suggested, as she rose and began to clear the dinner plates away, already well acquainted with the cozy kitchen.
"Yes, that sounds nice," Kaoru said, snapping back into the present. "And you must continue with your story!"
"Yes, of course!" Tokio beamed, and began her tale once more.
"That day, Saitou Hajime somehow managed to come into my field of view, which was a bit of a shock to my world. I was usually a girl who spent most of my time daydreaming and wandering outdoors. I enjoyed the freedom away from my overprotective parents and younger brother and sister. As much as I loved my family, I preferred the peace and solitude of my journeys. Perhaps I was a little too independent for my own good, as I paid little attention to matters of what should have been great consequence to ladies my age. Oblivious to men and their affections, I was still very much a child even in my later teens. Perhaps my parents were a bit at fault. They did little to encourage marriage, even though I was past due. I was, of course, a daddy's girl, and since I showed little interest in men, he felt there was no reason to push me. I think he would have been happy if I stayed an old maid and lived with he and mother all my life. Not very traditional, but it's just the way my parents were. How could I disapprove if they loved me too much to let go?"
"What family did you come from, may I ask?" Kaoru inquired, inhaling the warm scent of her steaming tea, and curling up comfortably against a post along the deck. The two women were now seated on the wooden boards, admiring the cool spring night with hot cups of tea to feed the soul. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea if someone should think to come after Tokio, but Kaoru had already discovered the woodland sprite couldn't be confined indoors for too long, and had finally agreed to a breath of fresh air.
"My father, Takagi Kojuurou was an important official in Aizu," Tokio explained. "He worked closely with Matsudaria Katamori, who of course you know was the patron of the Shinsengumi. We often had Katamori, as well as other shogunate officials and a few Shinsengumi, coming to our house for meetings with father. Of what they spoke of, I know not, for I was never entirely sure what part my father played in quelling the rebellions of the time. But I always stayed out of the way nonetheless. Except I remember Mr. Matsudaria was always extremely kind to me. In fact, he was the one who handled my wedding! But I am getting ahead of myself. It was still a long time before I discovered I was in love with a wolf. At first, it was simple fascination, I imagine. Hajime was the first man who had ever made my heart race with fear, anger, excitement, and who knows what else. I knew he was rumored to be a very unfeeling, unfriendly sort of man. One look at him could tell you that. But something about the way the lamplight softened his chiseled face that memorable firefly-filled night made him utterly intriguing. I found there were layers to Saitou Hajime I had yet to discover, and I always enjoyed a challenge."
~*~*~
Story Information:
I wanted to make this story as accurate as possible, which led me to scour the net looking for information about Saitou, the Shinsengumi, and a bunch of others.
Here is a list of notes which I have used as the base for Part I of Taming Lessons, if you are interested:
Author's Decisions:
-For the purpose of this fiction, I have decided to use the standard English translation of most Japanese names of objects (like weapons) and phrases. As I do not know Japanese, and have only seen the dubbed version of Kenshin (although I do have the OVAs and have read Maigo-chan's translations of the manga, as well as a few various scanslated chapters) I don't really feel comfortable using the sessha's and oro's and all those other phrases that I've heard Kenshin likes to use. I'll try my best to be accurate with the English dubbed version, so Kaoru-dono will be Miss Kaoru, etc, etc. Maybe I'll throw in a few "this unworthy one" or "my pardons", but overall, just expect the lame old English. Sorry. ^.^
-The only thing I have been faithful with is the Japanese order for names. That means family name first, then the person's name. I don't want to mess with people's names, and I just think they sound better in their original form.
-Just like RK, I wanted to mix fact with fiction. Therefore, I decided to use RK's personality of Saitou, paired with any other facts I could find about the real Saitou Hajime.
-I've tried to research Takagi Tokio and have failed miserably. Therefore, my characterization of her is completely my own. I've tried to give her depth, for I think a complex man such as Saitou would appreciate an equally complex woman.
-I have Tokio and Saitou first meeting in 1864, and really getting to know each that summer, which is way before the pair married in real life (1873). I have no idea when they actually met in real life, but I wanted to do a fiction that was more romanticized and featured them when they were younger, which is why I have them meeting when they do. More on this as the story continues...
-Again, for the purposes of this story, I have made Saitou one of Katamori's main contacts for Tokio's father, Takagi Kojuurou. This is purely for my convenience, though I was inspired by the fact that Saito's entrance into the Shinsengumi was sponsored by the Aizu han, according to miburo.com.
-Finally, I have Katamori living in Kyoto. This may seem contradictory to the fact that he was the daimyo of Aizu, but after research, I was under the impression that he stayed in Kyoto after he was appointed Military Commissioner of the city when he became head of the Aizu clan (at least within the timeframe of his appearances in this story).
Real Facts Used:
-Saitou Hajime was the leader of the third squad of the Shinsengumi
-He joined the Shinsengumi when he was about 21. Keeping track of all these ages is pretty crazy, but just in case you've noticed the math doesn't quite add up...Saitou is supposed to be 21 in 1864 because the system they used followed the traditional Chinese way, or so I've read, which means you've got to add one year after you subtract his birth year from the current year. (1864-1844) + 1 = 21 years old. I believe I got this from one of the pages on the main history archive of the "Shinsengumi" page, the link to which can be found at the end of my ramblings. ^_~
-Saitou did indeed have a wife, Takagi Tokio, who was the daughter of an important Aizu Official, Takagi Kojuurou
-Saitou and Tokio did have three boys! {Note (not a fact!): I have made Tokio a very busy woman in this fic, as she already has had all three boys at this point. If you look at the timeline below, that means she would have had three boys in four years, as their first son was born in 1876. As I do not know about the birth dates of other two boys, I imagine her youngest to be no more than a year old when Taming Lessons is taking place...more on this as the story progresses.}
-Matsudaria Katamori (1835-93) was the daimyo of Aizu and protector of Kyoto who fought for the Tokugawa shogunate. He was the patron of the Shinsengumi. He also arranged the match of Saitou and Tokio himself!
Helpful Timeline:
(Events occurred in real life unless otherwise marked between **)
1/01/1844 - Saitou Hajime born. (Many say Okita Soujo, leader of the first squad of the Shinsengumi, was born during this year as well, which is what I will use for this story.)
4/5/1846 - Takagi Tokio born.
** Summer 1864 - This is when Tokio's memories during Taming Lessons take place**
6/5/1864 - Ikedaya Affair - I'm sure just about all RK fans know this, but for those that don't: During an Inshin Shisi meeting at the Ikedaya Inn, the Shinsengumi broke in and ended their plans to kidnap the emperor and slay important shogunate officials after setting Kyoto in flames. I believe after putting an end to this conspiracy, the Shinsengumi were thought of as heroes (unlike their previous unfavorable reputation).
1868 - Boshin War: the shogunate's final uprising against the Restoration movement. 1st year of the Meiji after the shogunate is defeated. Saitou takes refuge in Aizu. Okita dies of tuberculosis at age 25. Saitou is also 25, but still alive and kickin.' Methinks since Saitou is in Aizu at this point-where Tokio lives-this sets the stage in real life for their meeting and eventual relationship. ^_^
1873 - Saitou marries Takagi Tokio (I believe he is 30 and she 28 )
1876 - Saitou and Tokio's first son, Tsutomu, is born...they will later have 2 more boys...Tsuyoshi and Tatsuo!
1877 - Saitou joins the sword wielding police troop
**5/14/1878 - Kenshin leaves for Kyoto**
**Around 1880 is when the present storyline of Taming Lessons occurs.**
**1885 - 16th year of Meiji (I think!?). This is when the very last chapter of Rurouni Kenshin occurs. (It can be found on www.miburo.com) The manga depicts Kaoru and Kenshin with little Kenji, as well as the rest of the Kenshin gang (mostly) gathering for a picnic*
Sources:
Please visit these links to fill in the gaping holes of my research!
-probably the best Saitou source out there: www.miburo.com
-"Shinsengumi" at http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Pagoda/5770/shinhis.htm or go to the main page of their fabulous history archives at http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Pagoda/5770/history.htm
-www.japan-guide.com for some really good general info
-www.aikiojournal.com for some articles about Matsudaria Katamori and Aizu
-Maigo-chan's wonderful Rurouni Kenshin translations at http://www.maigo-chan.org/ruroken.htm