When Tokio entered the room Saitou was already changing into his police uniform. She closed the panel behind her. "Hajime?"

"It’s time," he said, buckling his belt. "They’re expecting me."

She nodded. In the last two days they’d attempted to enjoy the last of his vacation, but Tokio couldn’t help but feel a certain dread as the day approached. The wind was whispering secrets to her, tearing at her delicate instincts. She knew that any hint of ill air she detected he must have been feeling tenfold. The strain shone in his eyes.

Tokio wrapped her arms around his waist, halting him from putting on his jacket. "Don’t sound so cold," she mewed, hoping to lift the mood somewhat. "You’re always acting like that, but you know it doesn’t work with me."

He grinned slyly, dropping his coat. "Oh, is that so?" For a while he would allow himself to forget his duty; with one finger he lifted her chin. "It worked when you were still a virgin."

She slapped his hand away indignantly. "You shameless dog," she spat, but she was grinning. Marriage might be bliss, but for her it wasn’t quite right if they weren’t fighting. The relationship may have been strange, but she wasn’t about to argue with over ten years of personal experience. They didn’t need to be sweet to know that they loved each other.

"You’re in charming spirits tonight," her husband remarked, hands closing over her shoulders. "But it’s a shame you picked one when I’m on duty."

"The night’s young." Tokio pricked at the buttons on his shirt, her bright eyes shining with mischief. "Come back soon," she said coyly, "and I’ll make it worth your while." To prove her point she pulled him into a fierce kiss. His arms tightened around her. But the woman managed to suppress her passion, separating their lips once more. "I’ll be waiting."

"Then I’ll be quick." He touched her face tenderly, and they shared one last kiss before pulling apart. Saitou finished preparing his uniform, then retrieved his sword. "I’ll only be gone for a few hours. Take care."

She nodded slowly, all her expressions and movements indicating invitation. Saitou chuckled and reached to touch her hair. Carefully he pulled out the ties and pins that held it trapped against her scalp, and the delicate strands of black silk cascaded with a flourish over her shoulders. "Keep your hair down," he said, running his fingers through the smooth locks. "You’re much more beautiful this way."

"Alright." Tokio made a playful purring sound, enjoying the attention he was giving her. "You’d better go, or I’ll keep you here all night."

"As tempting as that sounds, you’re right. Be patient a while." He kissed her hand delicately with mocking charm, and bid her a final farewell. Tokio smiled, chuckling to herself as she watched him leave.

She nodded. "Be careful."

"This way, please," the guide, a police man in uniform, instructed. "The rest of the squad is waiting."

"I can’t wait," Sanosuke said as they started away from the dojo. He punched the palm of his hand. "Finally I can show that bastard I mean business."

Kenshin hummed thoughtfully. "Somehow, I am glad to know he is still alive."

"Me too—otherwise, I couldn’t finish our match."

By the time they reached the east edge of Tokyo it was already nearing sunset. Two dozen men in navy uniforms were gathered there, armed with rifles and pistols, and a few with swords. They all glanced up as the pair approached, and recognition shone in their faces. But one man was turned away from them, a thin line of smoke rising above his head. Kenshin stared, a bit unbelieving. Before he could say anything, though, Sanosuke beat him to it.

"Saitou! You bastard!" Sanosuke shouted. "It’s about time you showed up. We have a score to settle!"

Saitou didn’t respond, as he appeared to be reading something. All the officers were staring at Sanosuke in confusion. "What the hell is he talking about?" one muttered.

"Sir Fujita," the messenger said, "Battousai is here."

Saitou turned, exhaling the cigarette smoke heavily. "Is that so?" he muttered, grinning mockingly. "All I see is a wanderer and his fool friend."

"Damn you…" Sanosuke hissed, fuming. "Come on! Fight me!"

"I’m kind of busy now, in case you didn’t notice," he replied coolly. "Now shut up so I can finish reading this."

Kenshin put his hand on Sanosuke’s arm as a signal for restraint. "Are you planning to inform us as to what is going on?" he asked.

Saitou folded the paper and stuffed it into his pocket. "What did they tell you?"

"Nothing."

He snorted. "Didn’t think so. This has nothing to do with the police—a purely government operation."

Kenshin observed the man’s expression carefully; he didn’t look pleased. "You look as if you do not approve," he remarked.

Saitou met his gaze, his yellow eyes narrowed. A moment later the spell between them had passed, and he sported a half grin. "Are you not up to a challenge?"

"No, but an explanation might make this easier."

"Very well. I’ll explain as we walk." He motioned for the officers to come to attention. "Stay behind me and don’t make a sound," he instructed. "They will most likely have spies about. Don’t shoot until I say so." He started down a path that led out of the city, and immediately the men fell into a line behind him. Kenshin and Sanosuke exchanged glances before moving to join Saitou at the front of the precession. "There isn’t much to this one," the police man began as they went. "Not like Shishio. We’re going to flush out a cabin in the woods. There really is no need for you to be here. I’ve been ordered to kill any captives."

Kenshin took his next breath slowly. "What was their crime?"

Saitou didn’t answer right away. "The Night Wolves are all former Shinsengumi." His simple words were enough to make clear the situation.

"So you’re just gong to take them out?" Sanosuke muttered darkly. "Don’t wanna get along, so you butcher the bastards?" His voice lowered even more so. "Damn government ass holes. Is that the only way they know how?"

"Sano…" Kenshin held his tongue, deciding it was better not to make any unnecessary comment. He sighed and turned back to Saitou. He was a bit surprised to see that the man was watching Sanosuke. There was a strange look in his eyes. "Is there anything more?"

"We’ll surround the hut. You and I will attack from opposite sides, deal with those we can, and flush the rest out. Once you’ve gone in don’t come out until it’s over, or my men might mistake you for one."

Kenshin grimaced at the scene he was painting. "You intend it to be a slaughter."

"I take no prisoners," Saitou responded. "The number of survivors depends on how many you can dispose of before I get to them."

Sanosuke muttered a string of profanity under his breath, fists tensing. His right hand began to throb but he didn’t care. "This is such shit. Aren’t you a samurai? Don’t you have any honor? They don’t even know you’re coming, and you—"

"They will soon," he interrupted curtly, "if you don’t shut up."

"I won’t shut up! I won’t have anything to do with this insanity, and what’s more I’m going to fight you all if that’s what it takes! I definitely won’t let this happen!"

Saitou stopped walking, bringing everyone to a halt as the pair stared each other down. The officers watched their leader with concern.

"I cannot allow myself to participate in this, either," Kenshin spoke up in the silence. "This force is unnecessary. Let me take care of this alone."

"What?"

Sanosuke glared at him. "What the hell do you mean now?"

The red-headed samurai straightened, trying to hold his own against all these men who were taller than him, but it wasn’t much help. However, his attitude was enough to command their attention. "I will do this alone. It will be simpler, and without casualties. I will let it be done no other way."

Spread out on his futon in the next room, Eiji glanced up from the book he’d been reading. "Your mom’s been in there a while," he remarked. "What’s she been doing all this time? The lights are still on, so…"

"Probably brushing her hair," Tsuyoshi muttered back, not looking up from his own book. "She does that a lot with Father goes out."

"Oh." He shrugged and returned to his reading.

Tsuyoshi was about to do the same when a faint sense caught his attention. Ever since his father had begun training him to fight he’d also taught him about sword ki, and the power of one’s spirit. One of those lessons had included detecting when enemies were close. He could feel the presence now, like a hostile odor floating about. A moment later the sound of footsteps confirmed his assumptions. He sat up. "Eiji. Someone’s coming."

"Huh?" Eiji glanced up from his book once more. "What was that?"

The panel that opened into the hallway began to slide, revealing a young man and woman. They were both armed. Instantly Tsuyoshi was on his feet, fists balled, Eiji at his side. "Who the hell are you?" he demanded. "What do you want?"

Haya grinned smugly. "Just to play awhile," he replied with cool confidence. "You boys alone?"

"My father’s coming back soon. If he finds you here, he’ll kill you."

"Is that so?" Haya laughed, though his sister bore no expression. "You think your daddy’ll make it back in time?"

Tsuyoshi grimaced, taking several steps back. The pair advanced into the room. They’re going to kill us he realized, his body tensing. But who are they? Are they my father’s enemies?

"Tsuyoshi, who are you talking to?" The panel to the next room opened, and Tokio stuck her head through. "What’s the—" She stopped when she saw the intruders. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" Quickly she moved to her son’s side and put her hand on his shoulder protectively.

"Like I told the kid, Lady." Haya unsheathed his two kodachi. "Just a little playtime." 

The stare-down between Saitou and Kenshin lasted several long moments, each waiting for the other to back down. Finally Saitou broke the tension. "Do what you like; it won’t make a difference, because any captives will be questioned then executed anyway. These men are a threat to the government and will be dealt with as such. But, if you’re still sure about your oath, I’ll give you a chance." He grinned just slightly. "I’ll give you a ten second head start, then I join you." He turned to his men. "Hear that? You’re not to shoot unless they try to escape the building."

"Yes, sir."

"Kenshin," Sanosuke whispered angrily, "you’re not really going to—"

"There is no other choice. I cannot stand aside and allow them to do this."

"No matter what we do, it won’t help. Shit." He pounded his fist into his palm. "Damn it all."

Kenshin sighed, then realized that Saitou and the officers had already began to move again. "I know, Sano." He followed the procession, and a moment later Sanosuke did as well. 

Mari evaluated their task quickly: a woman and two eleven-year-old boys. They’d been warned that one of the kinds might know how to fight, but that wouldn’t be a problem. He wasn’t even armed.

"I want you to kill all three," Kagewara had told them. "Maeda want an ally, but he’s being close-minded. I’ve got a better solution to our problem."

Mari pulled out her weapon—she’d designed it herself. Two kodachi were attached to opposite ends of a wooden shaft, forming a double-bladed staff about four feet long. But more than that her weapon held a secret: the two short swords were connected by four feet of thin wire that was threaded through the shaft. If one kodachi was unhooked it could be swung, or else she could simple retrieve the blade by pulling on the wire. Such an unusual weapon had demanded extensive training on her part, as well as a style all her own. This would be her first time using it outside of her own solo practice.

"If you’re here for money," Tokio said, her eyes cold, "there’s not much but you can take it. But you came for us, didn’t you?"

"You’re a pretty smart bitch," Haya laughed, advancing on the trio. She pushed both boys behind her and took several steps back. "Yeah, it’s you. Didn’t you know? We’re here for paybacks."

"Oh, is that so?" Tokio squeezed her son’s shoulder, trying to tell him something. "For my husband?"

Mari moved away from her brother, beginning to come at them from the left. "That’s right," Haya continued. "He’s a traitor and a coward; we’re gonna make sure he knows we mean business."

"You’re the cowards!" Tsuyoshi snarled back, and he would have charged at them had his mother not held him back. "You can’t even fight him face to face!"

"Oh, we will. Don’t you worry."

"What?"

"Hush, Tsuyoshi," Tokio instructed in a whisper, squeezing his shoulder again. "You’re unarmed."

Finally he caught on. Eiji’s and my sword are in Mother’s room, he thought quickly. And Mother has a tanto. These guys look good, but two against three…we might be able to hold them off until Father gets back, or someone calls the police…

Tsuyoshi worked his toe under a nearby book, gently elbowing his mother in the side. In an instant she and Eiji both turned to bolt. Haya and Mari charged, and the boy kicked the book into the first of their attacker’s faces before following his kin. Haya slashed the book aside and gave chase.

Tokio scrambled into her room and nearly dove for the corner where their weapons had been placed for safe-keeping. Without thinking she tossed Tsuyoshi’s sword into the air, which he immediately caught and unsheathed. Eiji’s bokutou was next, and then she retrieved her own tanto. Saitou had given it to her after their wedding and taught her how to use it; now she would test that training.

"Oh, the little one wants to play," Haya laughed disdainfully. He took up a battle stance. "Come on."

Tsuyoshi slid into his own posture. "You’re the one attacking us," he growled.

Eiji followed his friend’s example, and Tokio stood close beside, gripping her weapon’s handle with straining fingers. Hajime, where are you?

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