“He makes his own hours,” the young officer shrugs. “Are you sure you only want to see Fujita-san?”
“This one can wait,” I say, with a smile. After all, who else can this one approach? But I’m surprised at that statement that he ‘makes his own hours’. Wasn’t he always working – that was her complaint, back then?
Ah well. Old days. I could, I suppose, speak with Kawaji-san, but he’s too busy… and this one thinks that Saitou would prefer to keep this one… contained.
(OOC – Kenshin is at the precinct waiting for Saitou)
Before I even get to the receiving area, I could already feel him. Kami must really want to mess with me today. Of all the people…
I barge into the room and don’t hide the dark face I’ve been sporting ever since I left the house. I’m not about to greet the Battousai so I ignore him and keep walking.
“Fujita-san! Fujita-san!” The police clerk starts running after me. A man named Himura is looking for you. He points at the diminutive red haired man sitting in the corner.
“Fine. Show him upstairs to my office.”
Whatever it is. It better be good.
“Thank you, young man, but I can follow Fujita-san,” I say. Which I do, but I get the feeling that he’s trying to shake me off his path as he darts through the halls? He had a face like a thundercloud so maybe there’s trouble at home…
He closes the door once we’re in his office, and I hand over the letter. “This came, just this morning.”
Battosai,
A long time ago an old friend of mine rudely interrupted our duel. The matter of who was the better swordsman – you or I – was never settled. I’ll be by soon to see if we can finish it up.
-Okita Souji
(NOTE – the letter is well-written with good calligraphy, correct kanji, etc and is in Souji’s handwriting)
“This one first wanted to know if he’s still alive, or if it’s another imposter,” Uramura-san told me about the one, who kidnapped Yagi-san. But that one’s dead, but as for the real one? He was around years ago, during -that- time, but it was a strange era in this one’s life.
Thankfully I found the letter on the gates before Kaoru-dono (or worse, Yahiko-kun) did.
SAITOU
I stare at the letter addressed to the Battousai. I knew it would happen but I’m still surprised it’s happening quickly. I hand him back the note and lit a cigarette by the window.
“It could be anyone, you’re not exactly lacking for enemies.” I shrug as I look out the window. “How’s your fighting skills these days in case it is that one from the wilderness?”
I smirk, “Will you fight seriously or…” well he knows the rest. The Okita I met was serious and blood thirsty, maybe more dangerous than I remember him. After all he too survived and admitted to practicing his murderous sword.
It could be anyone, you’re not exactly lacking for enemies
“His ki was…. present. Or at least as this one remembers it,” I say. “But maybe an imposter could mimic that. The one that took Yagi-san – is he in jail?” Uramura-san wasn’t able to get me -all- of it.
He asks after my skills? And will I take it seriously? “If it is the real one, from Kyoto and then the wilderness, wasn’t he ill? That’s why you took his place,” I look at him, staring out the window. And this man and I have our own unfinished business. “But I will defend my family and our home, that you can be certain of.” We’re both diminished from the old days, but he would do the same – in that we remain very similar.
He asks about Kichisaburo but that’s none of his business nor his privilege. But I throw him a bone, “That one you don’t have to worry about.”
He reminds me of Okita’s illness and that old fight. I almost laugh at that but I don’t. “If it is him then he’s recovered don’t you think? After all it’s been years he survived in the wilderness. And if it wasn’t him then he’s an unknown quantity to you, which means you should take it seriously.”
But I will defend my family and our home, that you can be certain of.
“Hmph.” I throw the half finished cigarette out the window. “I’m sure if you asked for police support it will be provided, what with your contacts in the department and all.”
Going back to my desk, I start to sort through it. “If Okita does come knocking on your door, send for me if you wish but if you do, don’t get in my way.” As much as I want to finish my business with the Battousai, it’s now my -former- “friend” that I want to the most.
(OOC- will reply in AM)
That one you don’t have to worry about.
Then he’s dead, and likely at Saitou’s hand. This one is not surprised, given Saitou’s justice.
“Our information networks had him struggling with the disease before Ikedaya, when it was then made obvious,” I recall. “That he lived until the last year was a testament to his spirit, that he’s -still- alive…” It’s these times I wish Megumi-dono was around. She has a understanding of the body’s working and how it interacts with one’s spirit. Unconsciously, I touch the scar on my cheek.
I’m sure if you asked for police support it will be provided, what with your contacts in the department and all.
“A supposedly-dead Shinsengumi captain threatening this one’s life?” I sigh. “That’s happened before. And this one can protect his home.”
He goes to his desk with a great shuffling of papers, but what he said strikes me. “We knew you two to be good friends back then, and in the wilderness. That’s changed?” And does Okita Souji share the same enmity towards Saitou?
The Battousai touches his cheek. Is he still thinking about the origin of his scar? I heard it was from a woman, a common law wife. These women of the past…. they all leave scars don’t they? I don’t say anything and pretend to be interested in the papers in front of me.
A supposedly-dead Shinsengumi captain threatening this one’s life?” I sigh. “That’s happened before. And this one can protect his home
“Oh good. We won’t have to waste precious resource on you then.” I say dismissively.
“We knew you two to be good friends back then, and in the wilderness. That’s changed?”
“Why would that change?” I smirk. “Oh right like you have changed, what with your meddling and all. I guess people -do- change.” And the moment he gives me another reason and we meet as enemies, then I’ll settle the score. From the wilderness and what he did to Hide, then and now.
“Now aren’t you late for laundry?”
His casual dismissal of any need that my family may have for police resources isin contrast to his tone as he talks about Okita Souji. And his ki… he’s not hiding it well. But it doesn’t seem meant for me? Hmmm.
“This one has no need to ‘meddle’, as you put it, Saitou,” I try not to sigh. Once… I took delight in stirring things up. Those days are still strange in this one”s mind. “But this one’s family should not be in the middle of Shinsengumi fights, if you are his true target.” But, on the other hand, he wouldn’t be the first wanting to settle some old grudge against the Battosai.
I ignore his crack about the laundry, and go to leave. “Very well, Saitou. But this one’s family should not be in the middle of Shinsengumi fights, if you are his true target.” But, on the other hand, he wouldn’t be the first wanting to settle some old grudge against the Battosai. And when I think that this one will have some peace… there’s another one.
I go to leave – it will be time to get Kenji-kun, soon enough.
(OOC – Kenshin will leave unless stopped)
“Very well, Saitou. But this one’s family should not be in the middle of Shinsengumi fights, if you are his true target.”
“You said it yourself, Okita and I are friends. Why would he target me?” I grin, “You’re a much better target than I being the strongest ishin. And put your money where your mouth is, didn’t you just say you can protect your home? Stop whining.”
All those people from the kamiya dojo are complainers. But I don’t care about that, the Battousai can hold his own against Okita, that’s why I sent him to the dojo.