Saitou:
All morning inspection assignments done, I slam the appointment book and throw it to the clerk downstairs.
“Any questions can be sent up to my office.” I remind him. But really who’s going to complain? No one’s -dying- on any of their assignments. I sigh and go to the alley to smoke and get some fresh air.
The information that I’ve… No -he-, has been waiting for from Kyoto and Osaka finally arrived. Kato is -still- in jail and claiming that I’m a corrupt policeman working for Kawaji, but that was easily dismissed of course since I did put him to jail under the TMPDs jurisdiction not Osaka nor Kyoto’s. But the mother seems to have slipped from the Osaka police or rather someone there has helped her after she was “hospitalized”. A woman using her gender to gain sympathy and pity? Nothing new. But tracking her will pose troublesome unless I do it myself. And for now… I have other concerns -here- in Tokyo.
We had an agreement.
And I’m keeping it, but on -my- terms.
I blow the smoke out from the corner of my mouth. Save for his rare public appearances Miyagawa and his associates has layed low. Smart but -bad- for me pinning him down. I’ll eventually have to draw him out somehow -before- he gains further influence in the Interior Department. My eyes narrow, unlike before where my hit list were mostly killings I had agreed to and sanctioned by the Department of the Interior, this one is one of them. Who knew that Tanaka would be connected to him, even if loosely. Who else in the Interior? Suddenly I grin. Didn’t Tanaka warn me? Killing him would open some cursed Pandora’s box? That was exactly what I wanted to do. To rid Japan on the scum that feasts upon it!
Be careful. You have no allies.
Idiot. I’ve always worked -alone-.
I close my eyes for a moment willing him to go away. I’m not sure why that -idiot- is so miserably cautious. I told him before, nothing happens if we just wait or take the safe way. It’s probably because he still wants to return to his life with -her-. But that’s too late. She doesn’t want him. And never wanted -me-.
Letting the cigarette butt fall to the ground, I crush it with my boots. I’m out of breath all of a sudden and I hang onto one of the barred windows catching my breath. After a while it subsides and I straighten up. What was that? Probably nothing but I feel for the medicine in my pocket. I should save it for something more important until I hear from Yae.
Going upstairs I lock my office door and dump myself on the leather sofa.
(OOC: Saitou will be parked here until after lunch time. Anyone can drop by then he will be moving again.)
(Misao)
When I got the very very brief letter asking for more medicine… hmm. I thought it was a curse and not the same as Gramps’ problem. Gramps was actually surprised that I gave it to him. “That’s poison to a regular man! I, of course, am immune to many poisons!” Which is why I advised Hide-san to get rid of it – what if those children got into it? Kids have a way – even non-shinobi children are sneaky!
But Gramps and I talked about it, and I took the overnight train to Tokyo to see him for myself. It’s been a while… and then when I got here, I realized that I didn’t actually know where they live. So instead I go to the precinct.
I smile. The last time I came here, Yahiko-kun and I were dressed up as soba vendors. That was so long ago!
I knock on the door for “Fujita”.
(OOC – Misao is dressed in a regular kimono – her ninja garb/etc is not visible)
Saitou:
I wake up groggy from having have fallen asleep. I’ve not had to do that in a long time. And I don’t like sleeping on the job in my office no less!
Quickly I get up and slap my face awake and straighten the damn uniform and open the door.
I’m surprised. I could’ve sworn someone just knocked.
Oh well. I start to close the door.
(Ooc saitou is looking straight on and doesn’t notice the short ninja is under his nose.)
I almost think he’s not here and that I should head off to the dojo first and see Kenshin-san and the rest (I love that Kenji-kun!), but then the door opens.
I thought that Saitou looked rough when I saw him in Kyoto – and even worse in those other places.
But this time he looks like he just woke up – and it was rough, and my heart sinks as I have a strange feeling. I had thought when I saw them in Kyoto the last time, that I was leaving them in a good place.
But he yawns and closes the door!
I put out my arm to stop the door. “Hey! Wake up and look down! I came all the way from Kyoto!”
I blink as there’s a door stop? Where’s the door stop?
“Hey! Wake up and look down! I came all the way from Kyoto!”
I narrow my eyes to focus them. “Oh weasel.” I shake my head out of the fog, “What brings you here?”
I grin and throw the door open. She’s obviously welcome to visit.
What brings you here?
He finally seems to wake up, and I go into his office. “Weasel… still on that old name?” I grin a little.
“I’m here because you asked for some medicine – did you really think that I would send that over the mail?” I shake my head. We have other means, but I was really curious as to why he needed more.
I look around his office. It still looks (and smells) just like it did back then.
Weasel… still on that old name
“Well you know Old habits and can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” I shrug and light a cig. Closing the door i go back to my desk.
did you really think that I would send that over the mail?”
“It was worth a try? You had gave some to an ailing friend of mine and that woman in her hissy fit decided to throw everything down the drain.”
I look her over. It’s odd to see her in a kimono, she doesn’t fill it well. “So did you bring some?”
It was worth a try? You had gave some to an ailing friend of mine and that woman in her hissy fit decided to throw everything down the drain
I look at him, carefully, behind the desk. I sit down on his sofa. “Friend? I gave it to you, Saitou.” There’s something different. “And is ‘that woman’ Hide-san? I told her to dispose of it, since I thought your “curse” was lifted. It’s not safe to keep around.”
He looks me over, but it’s… different, in the way that even -I- can sense, and Okon-sans says I’m “dense” about men. “You’re not the one I saw back in Kyoto, are you?”
“Of course you gave it to -me-. But you’ve forgotten I also had you send to a friend of mine who was very ill at the school.” Why did she forget. Ah much like so many stories of this place means nothing anymore.
She corrects me about Hide. So what if I call her that woman. I’m just some man to her now but it doesn’t matter. I smoke and frown at the Weasel.
“I’m myself. Whatever person you think you saw, doesn’t matter.” I tap my fingers on the desk impatiently. “Really if you came here to discuss such ridiculous matters I’m afraid you’ve wasted your time.”
“I did get the medicine over to your friend, and he and Gramps have taken a liking to each other. They have tea and talk about the people they know in common.” I smile a bit, it’s good for him, instead of worrying about me. “And I like his wife – she has enough energy for ten women.” She’s really remarkable, and -kind-, even if I have to pass on her nice offers to take me to church.
Really if you came here to discuss such ridiculous matters I’m afraid you’ve wasted your time.
I blink. This is what Aoshi-sama used to warn me about – speaking before I know things. Jumping to conclusions.
Something is wrong with him, but… I don’t know what. “No, I came here to visit old friends and provide medicine.” I take out a small wooden box, and slide it across the desk. “We improved the taste, though, so you won’t complain so much,” I say, with a grin. It’s also a smaller dosage, meant for people who didn’t ingest poison on a daily basis for fifty years to “get a taste” for it.
“But first… Gramps said I should check you to make sure you didn’t have any effects from the toxicity.” I’m not the medic of the group, but with the new baby, Shiro-san couldn’t come… but I’m not going to leave him worse than when I found him.
Saitou:
The weasel finally remembers and I nod agreeably. “Jo and Yae are old friends of mine that I’ve not seen in years. I’m glad Okina has made their acquaintance.” I doubt the Oniwabanshu can save Jo but maybe to give him a few more good years.
“No, I came here to visit old friends and provide medicine.” “We improved the taste, though, so you won’t complain so much,”
She takes out a box and I grin. “I’ll be the judge on the taste.” Then I look at the weasel, “Thanks this will be useful.”
“But first… Gramps said I should check you to make sure you didn’t have any effects from the toxicity.”
“Look I don’t need someone checking on me. I know how I feel and besides I haven’t taken the drug since -she- threw it out. ” I sigh and tilt away from the weasel. “I know you came here first because you don’t know where her house is. If you’re a good weasel and leave me alone, I’ll have one of our carriages take you to the house.”
I blow out a smoke. “Unfortunately I have other plans this afternoon and can’t accompany you.”
He seems pleased about us delivering medicines. Of course! Too bad the guy is already in bad shape…
Thanks this will be useful
“Keep most of it here, if you can.” Even diluted, I worry about children getting into it.
“Stop being a baby – no needles,” I say, shaking my head. Not giving him a choice, I grab his hand, pulling up his sleeve a bit and putting two fingers on his wrist, and I pull out the little gold pocketwatch Gramps gave me for my last birthday. Ninjas and watches don’t normally mix, but he found a genius clockmaker who made one that was absolutely -silent-. I’m quiet as I watch the hands of the watch and listen….
I frown. It’s irregular, but not in the way I’d expect over this medicine. And isn’t he out, so he’s not had any in a while?
But then he said something – her house? The way he talks about Hide-san… but I keep my mouth shut this time (even though it’s hard).
“Thanks for the carriage, but I can go on my own – can’t you make me a map? Or give directions to your house?” I check his pulse, one more time. “No vision issues, or weakness? Gastric issues? Confusion?” I shake my head. “Hide-san would never forgive me if I gave you something that made you sick.”
Saitou:
“Keep most of it here, if you can.”
“Alright weasel.” I agree. She did give what I need after all.
But in a trick move she grabs my hand and starts checking my wrist. I’d pull it away had I not spied that nice little pocketwatch. I had once of those but like the rest of my life or what I thought it was, I left it behind.
So you -do- care.
Not anymore. Not really.
The weasel frowns and I grin. “Don’t play doctor weasel.” I say and pull my hand away.
I write the address and drew a little map. “The door sign says Yamaguchi.”
“No vision issues, or weakness? Gastric issues? Confusion?” I shake my head. “Hide-san would never forgive me if I gave you something that made you sick.”
“None at all.” I lie but the medicine keeps me calm and centered. Not always running away with -thoughts-. I can care less about side effects. “And don’t worry about Hide, as long as I go to the house at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter.”
He looks at my watch. “Nice, ne? Gramps spoils me – I’d hate to think what this cost.” I look at it fondly, before carefully putting it back up.
Don’t play doctor weasel
“I’m not a doctor, and I’m -not- playing, Saitou.” I look at him. He’s grumpier than when he was not sleeping and chasing leads in Kansai. “But I’m not going to keep supplying you with this unless I’m satisfied that it’s actually helping. And… your heartbeat is irregular. So go light on it, okay? No more than a pack every other day or so.”
I pocket the map. Is Yamaguchi a fake name used for security?
He dismisses any side effects but I’m doubtful. Not that he’d tell me the truth anyway. He’s as bad as Aoshi-sama… I look away.
And don’t worry about Hide, as long as I go to the house at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter.
What happened to the lovebirds back from a few weeks ago who missed me being in the room because they were so wrapped up in each other? I blink. I mean, all couples quarrel, I guess. But he talks about her like he doesn’t even -care-.
Maybe I’ll make a stop on the way over to their house.
“Alright, Saitou. I’ll see you later.”
(OOC – Misao will exit unless stopped)
“Nice, ne? Gramps spoils me – I’d hate to think what this cost.”
“Probably a fortune.” I say and shrug.
“But I’m not going to keep supplying you with this unless I’m satisfied that it’s actually helping. And… your heartbeat is irregular. So go light on it, okay? No more than a pack every other day or so.”
“Fine.” I try not to roll my eyes. At least I don’t have to keep saving that one packet thinking I’d need it for a particularly bad “event”.
The weasel leaves for the house. Well I’m sure she’ll be welcome. In fact I think it might be a good change of pace. I’ll stay out of their way. I’m sure I’ll find some other way to kill time.
(OOC: End)