Saitou:
I turned in Okita’s tanto to the preservation evidence section of the TMPD, but hers I kept.
Unsheathing her tanto I watch the blade. Always so sharp, I think to myself as I puff smokes up into the air. How many times did she use or intended to use this tanto on herself and unfortunately on others? I close my eyes trying hard not to remember those times.
The very first one from our early days, in what I now call the void where she lay there in her own pool of blood and the sister who once cared for her and who I then threatened. Since then I said the tanto will have a different story not one that ended her. So it needed a new life. It never did have a proper origin, some joke of it appearing from thin air and stabbing a hunkering piece of flesh that was her writer.
This same tanto that I had taken into that London, instead claiming it as once my mothers – one that used to create little dolls but had a secret letter inside that made Hide the new owner. A knife that wanted to protect her because even if she backtracked on her promise to have me be her first, I could at least erase that -nothing- that she calls Charles and her “trainer” Okita. That story ended there or maybe nowhere.
The same tanto that I returned to her years later, after I awoke from my sleep. A message sent through a stranger since I couldn’t see her immediately eventhough I wanted to. But she understood and placed her trust in the messager I sent in lieu of myself. Maybe… -Finally- it would have a different story.
But it turned sour when I couldn’t stop her from hurting another using what Okita taught her. That the man Hiko was -not- innocent didn’t matter. But back then I wanted to look at how she protected me instead of looking at how I failed to let her see even with my own blood, that she didn’t have to go through that lengths. That I could do it for both of us, because I knew the price paid for such transgressions. One cut in defense of another, cuts oneself over and over. I let it go so we could move forward because I knew why she did it.
And I suppose this tanto does have a destiny? A return to form so to speak? She wanted to use it to end her life she said but I knew even before she said it. But there was no need, if all of this was untenable or our realities had changed, we could’ve parted quietly… -Peacefully-. I would’ve accepted it, just like I accept this life of lost opportunities and lost stories. And I’d give her the tanto back as long as she didn’t use it against another or herself. Okita had always been a fool. I told him once to be careful what he said, what he did. To make sure they were -palatable- at least.
Who are you that’s speaking?
Idiot. I’m myself.
I shake my head realizing I’ve been chewing things up like that -idiot- used to do. I throw the tanto into the lowest secret compartment and then I remember I still had her ring in my pocket but nothing to wrap it with.
Does it really matter?
-No.-
Besides just like I told her back then, I wanted to be the one to give it to her. So I place the ring in the same place where it will never be found by their true owners. Whoever they were supposed to be. She told me last night, I was disavowing everything we had, everything we were. Maybe she’s right.
“Fujita-san!” A knock comes to my door and I look up. I’ve wasted so much time thinking of what he’d think about. But I’ll rectify that now. I grin at the police assistant inspector. Whatever it is paper work, field work, investigative work I’ll take it.
“Sir several people called in today. I’m afraid we’re short on patrol staff. Uramura-san is very upset sir!”
I almost laugh at this. I did say anything right? Maybe I’ll stop by the machiya to clean up. Rising up, I put on my cap, take the borrowed sword and the Itachi’s concoction. I’ll be needing that right after patrol. I can’t go home without it, not if we end up speaking again.
(OOC: Saitou is out to patrol from lunch time up to around afternoon. Anyone can run into him but this is obviously not required or needed.
If no one does, in a day or two i will move him to the machiya (afternoon-evening) and eventually he’ll go back to the house at night.)
It wasn’t a good day to patrol. The streets were still somewhat muddy and wet from the previous day. But I stopped by the machiya after patrol and got cleaned up so now only my shoes look worse for wear. I left the machiya earlier than I had planned, it was early enough that Aioi complained she’d have no company. Afternoons were hers, she said.
And I know it’s too early to go back to the house. I’d just be another person to take care of there and to feed. So I decide to continue patrolling, this time going opposite the machiya and towards the school. Most of the upper classmen have been dismissed, in fact the school looked like a ghost town already as I spy several of the teachers themselves going home.
Why did I come here?
I look up at the building where Tokio used to teach and then towards the courtyard where there’s a fountain. It’s there I remember hitting my wife. It was wrong whatever my reasons were. Would I do it today? -No.- I’m much stronger than that fool. I light a cigarette and was about to leave when I hear…
I turn around knowing it’s Takimi.
“You haven’t returned my letters. It’s about your boy Tsutomu-kun.”
I smirk, “Oh is there any other?”
“Well your daughter Makoto-chan seems to have adjusted well in our school.”
For a moment I’m thoughtful. Although I haven’t thought much of Makoto I simply figured everything -is- fine and her mother was taking care of her. Just like Tokio “took care” of Tsutomu when my wife finally decided to stay put and make the house her territory.
“Well what do you need?”
“The other day your.. uh.. the lady of the Yamaguchi house…”
“You mean Hide.” I simply say for him.
He nods, “She stopped by to speak to Tsutomu-kun while I was out and it’s been reported to me that he ran out of the school shouting.”
“Is that all?” I shrug. “The boy has some issues but he’s strong. He’ll be able to weather them.”
Takimi gives me a doubtful look, “Well he also took a girl out of the school with him.” He fixes his glasses, “They did eventually return but it was close to dark when they did. Our night guard has been keeping a close eye on them.”
I had the talk with Tomu already about relations. It makes me wonder if perhaps he’s decided to dip his toes into it? But the talk of the night guard catches my attention. “What is the night guard’s name?”
“Niita-kun, about your age. He was the same guard on duty when you took Nishino-ko back to the dorms after curfew.”
So it’s the same guard. “Well if it does become a problem you can talk to me again.” I say and start to leave.
“Fujita-san.” He calls out to me and I stop but don’t turn. “Although it’s likely your son will graduate from Futaba, he seems very troubled. Could it be that the lady of the house is…”
I shake my head. “That woman can hardly pose a threat to anyone, much less that stubborn boy.” Because she’s not one to take risks nor look any deeper. But that’s like most people who don’t want to be bothered.
“Well in any case, there’s been problems and they were heard arguing and shouting the other day. I also don’t want Nishino-ko to get affected by whatever problem is in your house. A girl’s reputation is very important in these day and age. You understand that don’t you?”
“Fine Takimi.” I take a quick drag on my cigarette, “Make sure the girl stays away from Tomu and while you’re at it – keep an eye on that night guard, especially if he’s the one feeding you information about the girl or any other girls.”
I leave to go to the house. I guess I now have business there after all.
(OOC: ends)