General author's notes:
This is the prequel to my others S/T fics, Saitoh's secret gardens and Seiza. It was written more or less at the same time, and corrected lately, as the side plot was unsatisfying. It is still not, as I prefer to describe character's feelings rather than action, and as the true and evil purpose of this fic is ROMANCE! But the more I wait to post it, the less I'm satisfied with it (euphemism), so I finally give it a try now. I'll probably correct it again. Don't flame me please! Once more I don't like the title..changed it 10 times..
About the settings, I'd like to stress again that my knowledge of Edo (and Meiji) Jidai is very, very limited. So I twisted historical facts and my description of the society, housing, way of transportation etc..is WRONG for most of it. I adopted many European references for example. The story takes place in 1865, Saitoh being part of the Shinsengumi for almost two years in the fic(I have vague recollections that it was founded in 1863), this is historically incorrect as he joined in reality in 1865 or 1866. He's 21 and Tokio 17(two years younger than she actually was).
Irresistible
Chapter one: Tokio 2 - Saitoh 0
On this clear, beautiful morning of May 31st, 1865, Saitoh Hajime was in a very, very bad mood. It was definitely the worst day of his whole life.
"KYAAAAA!"
A scream rose from one of the heavy chariots, followed by another, then another one. His nerves tensed, and he tightened his lips, that were now forming only a thin line. He heard Okita, who was riding on his left, trying to muffle a laugh, and from his right side, felt Harada's questioning stare on him. The 10th captain didn't dare to talk. Who knew how could react a pissed of Saitoh? The screams were going on, and Saitoh gritted his teeth. Okita decided it was time to do something.
"Saitoh-kun? Maybe we should have a look at what is going on.One never knows."
The 3rd captain bit back "Like last time?"
Harada dropped into the matter. "But it has to stop! My head is going to explode!"
Saitoh managed NOT to answer, swallowing back the You, moron, have no brain to get out of it he was dying to say, and after a few seconds of silence had a cold, scary smile. "Very well. We are going to stop the convoy. STOP!" he barked over his shoulder, before going on with the same frozen tone: "I'm going to follow your advice, Okita-kun, and inquire our guests about this new trouble. And if it turns out to be nothing, I will comply to your request, Harada-kun, and make this noise stop.definitely."
As he walked towards the chariot, Harada murmured: "What did he mean?"
Okita answered, looking slightly worried: " I don't know, but let's follow him. One never knows."
Saitoh stopped in front of the first chariot, and had the curtains opened on his curse. As his first leading mission as a Shinsengumi captain, he had to protect 10 ladies, daughters of the most influent men in Aizu. And at this very moment, they were red, messy, kneeling on a pile of cushions, gripping at each other, in a state he could only describe as "hysterical". Nine of them, he realized, because the last one was quietly sat, a book in her hands, and was staring at her friends with bemused incredulity. One of the witches finally noticed Saitoh's presence, for she began to scream louder.
" Help! Here! This awful, big, cockroach! Kill him, now!"
"Can we apply the rules of Aku-Soku-Zan to the insects?" mumble Okita, obviously entertained. Saitoh shot a murderous glance at him.
Another one yelled. "Tokio-chan, he's coming near you! Be aware!"
The calm one took her fan, hit the insect, and used the accessory as a shovel to throw it outside. Saitoh had to dodge it, for it was going to land on his face. He gritted his teeth again, so tight that Okita was afraid he'd break his jaw. Meanwhile, the ladies had calm down, and were babbling cheerfully again. Okita noticed that the one named Tokio (ah, yes, Takagi-sama's oldest daughter) was staring at Saitoh, unable to hide a bemused expression, while his friend, standing perfectly still, was trying not to loose his temper. Which meant overcoming his murderous impulses.
"Ladies," he began, his voice cold enough to take the temperature a few degrees down. When Saitoh Hajime talked, he was listened to, and even this bunch of birdwits was now aware of it. "My superior, and your fathers, trusted me to protect you on the way to Kyoto, in order to attend the Gyon Matsuri, as you very well know. It should take us four days, but during these first two hours we had to stop 7 times, the most serious motive being a broken nail. As it seems that my fellow captains here have been too vague in their instructions, I'm going to be clear. If I have to stop again, except for the halts I prepared or a question of life or death, you will have to deeply regret it."
His tone was deadly, his severe expression stressing the harshness of his long features. His amber eyes were burning in cold anger and a hint of cruel anticipation let the girls know he would not hesitate to hurt them. The youngest ones burst into tears. Another one, dressed in a very flashy kimono, argued that it was not a way to talk to ladies. A killing glance made her shut up. A crying girl dared to mumble:
"Whatever we take time! The festival is in 6 days anyway.."
Okita was about to answer in hope he could prevent Saitoh's venomous reaction, but Tokio was faster. Glancing up at the group, she spoke, in a sweet voice, sounding logic.
"We are very vulnerable, with these heavy chariots and only 15 men to protect us. Lately, peasants tend to gather and attack rich travelers..If they have the time to do that, and maybe even set a trap if we are really too slow.." She gave them a little smile. "I'm sure our bodyguards here are very strong, but what could they do against 30 armed men?"
And she turned to her book again.
Okita, too astonished at her insulting, carelessly, the Shinsengumi's strength, forgot his own reaction to check on Saitoh's. He was as always self-controlled, but for people who knew him as well as Okita did, there was no mistake: the cold glitter in his eyes, the convulsive hold on his sword..He wanted blood. Her blood.
Yet suddenly the girls, looking worried, bowed in apology, promising not to interrupt again, and begging for a swift departure. The last thing they saw before the ladies closed the curtains was the look Tokio sent to Saitoh. I'm not afraid of you was written in it. Narrowing his eyes, he answered by a terrifying expression. She provoked him on purpose..thought Okita.
Saitoh shrugged and snarled: "Let's go."
Okita couldn't believe the crisis didn't end in a bloodbath, considering Saitoh's disposition and Harada's sensitive pride.. Harada? He turned to him and sweatdropped when he discovered the mesmerized expression of his fellow captain. Saitoh growled "Moron!", shrugged again and walked to his horse.
Only then Okita realized. This Tokio was actually the prettiest girl he had ever seen.
The trip went on without further problems. The only noise coming from the ladies' chariot was, from time to time, giggles. Saitoh was riding in front, back to his normal, aloof attitude. Harada was obviously daydreaming, and Okita was thinking about that strange girl named Tokio. They had been introduced to the ladies, who had kept properly their heads bent down, so they didn't really see their faces. Tokio was striking beautiful. With her delicate features, pearl-white flawless skin, pert nose and glowing black hair, she was looking like a precious doll. However the willing chin, bemused curve of her full lips and the mischievous light shining in the most unusual gray eyes he had ever seen was denying her angel-like appearance. He didn't know why she had provoked Saitoh. His best friend usually inspired respect and fear. Okita knew that even amongst their peers, he was the only one not to be, deep inside, a little afraid of him. He glanced sideway, and from the stern look on Saitoh's face, knew he was thinking about her too. Probably in a far less flattering way.
After several hours, Harada proposed: " Saitoh-kun? It's hot, they must be hungry and tired now. Maybe we could stop for a halt?"
Saitoh showed a hill, 200 meters in front of them. "There is a river at the bottom. We'll stop only for one hour, to make up for the time we lost."
"Ano. isn't that a little strict?"
"Moron! A pretty face and a Shinsengumi captain gets softer than a kitten! If I have to give you an explanation, I want to arrive to the camp before sunset."
Fearing a wake of Harada's explosive temper while Saitoh was still pissed, Okita said quickly, using his most innocent face: " Naru hodo, Saitoh-san! Harada-kun, could you announce the halt to our guests?"
As Okita had expected, Harada beamed at him. "Of course!" He didn't hear Saitoh mutter: " Really an idiot.."
The servants grumbled about the shortness of the halt, but a glance from Saitoh had them shut up and hurry up. As they were preparing a cold lunch, most of the ladies were combing their hair, correcting their make-up, in one word being ladies. One of them seemed sick, though: she was pale, sweating, on the verge of fainting. Tokio was taking care of her, ordering the maids for medicine, water and a wet cloth in a soft, but definitive tone that showed a habit of commanding and being obeyed. When Harada proposed his interested help, she welcomed him with a shiny smile.
Okita sat next to Saitoh, who was smoking a cigarette apart from the main group, and remarked: "Harada is falling big time."
"Harada is a moron", answered Saitoh, conversation-like.
"It seems to bother you." It was probably not very clever to tease Saitoh right now, but it was the first time Okita saw him loosing a bit his temper, and to a little girl on top of it..It was really too tempting..
" If we get in trouble because this idiot doesn't focus on his duty, I'll be responsible, so I guess that yes, it's bothering me."
"Are you sure there is no other reason?"
"What do you mean?"
Seeing his friend's narrowed eyes, Okita made a boyish face: "Well, it's just the first time I see you notice a pretty face..Ah, here she comes..Poor Harada is all disappointed.."
Saitoh had stiffened but smirked at the other captain's lost puppy eyes. Yes, she was coming. Only when she was in front of him, he glanced at her, yet he didn't make a move to stand up. Pretty was not the appropriate word, he thought. Breathtaking or something like this would have been closer to the truth.along with "feisty". His anger flared again as he reminded her offensive comment, anger fed by the fact that because she was under his protection, he couldn't have it repaid with her blood. It changed quickly in pleasant anticipation. She had something to ask. She was surely used to have people twisted around her fingers. She was going to learn what a Miburo was, and that it took more than a doll, as charming as she could be, to tame him.
"Captain Saitoh?" Her voice was melodious, her tone polite. At least she was sparing him the flirtatious intonations spoilt ladies used when asking for a favor.
"Lady...?" He deliberately let his voice trail, pretending he had forgotten her name, his obsequious politeness denied by an openly mocking expression. She noticed, and lifted delicately a brow. The light in her eyes indicated him she had no intention to give up. A twinge of pleasure ran through him at the idea of seeing her upset, her smile turning to a pout, frustration in her now daring eyes.Will she bite her inviting, red bottom lip in anger? Mmm.He was a master at mind games and she was going to get it soon.
" Takagi", she answered, her tone still mild." I have a favor to ask you."
He glared at her, still mocking.
"Aiko-san is not well, she took a medication but it will take a little time to be effective. Could we stay here for half an hour more than planned?"
With overly faked sympathy, he said: "I'm afraid it's impossible." Abruptly he reported his attention to Okita, dismissing her like a maid.
She didn't as much as frown, but insisted: "It's only half an hour."
"I'm in charge of your safety. I take the decisions."
"You are hence in charge of our well-being, too.." she insinuated sweetly.
She was getting on his nerves again. Wasn't she afraid of him like everybody? Or was she THAT stupid, thinking she could provoke him and get away with it? It was time to make this little..he couldn't find the word, shut her mouth. He replied in the same tone she used: "And it will be compromised if peasants have the time to gather, because we are too weak to protect you.."
To his bewilderment, she seemed about to burst into laughter, and her voice got frankly amused. " I only assumed you were not in the mood to argue with them..As it was a better way than yours to make them obey, I thought..Will you reconsider your decision if I apologize for my..lack of delicacy?"
Okita stared at the girl with a new respect. She was facing Saitoh without fear, and beating him as his own game! He saw something flick in the amber eyes, too fast for him to define it. Then Saitoh snarled :"Half an hour, not a minute more"
She bowed with infinite grace, respectfully: "Thank you, captain", before joining her friends again.
Saitoh threw is consumed cigarette away, and lit another one. "No comment, Okita-kun", he warned before exhaling the first cloud of smoke.
The bow hadn't totally hidden her triumphing smile.
To be continued.
Additional Notes:
So unrealistic..AAAAH!
I have no idea of the real time needed to go to Kyoto from Aizu ( it's probably more than 4 days, and maybe part of the trip was made by boat). And none of the real ways of transportation at the time (I picture it like the way European nobles used until the 17th century), or of the social practices at that time. I'm sorry but I have no time to make any research about it now to correct that.
The story is getting more serious from the next chapter on.
Thank you for reading! And thanks to the people who reviewed my fics, bearing with my lack of style and silly ideas!
Kamorgana.