Disclaimer: I do not own the characters Saito Hajime, Okita Souji, or Takagi Tokio, they are owned by Weekly Shonen Jump.  The story will comprise some fiction and some history so please don’t so picky. Enjoy.

Saito Hajime

Kiss of the Black Widow

by Hybrid Digimon Grey

 

Chapter 1

Trap of the Spider

 

The late Tokugawa shogunate (Bakumatsu) is the period between 1853 and 1867 during which Japan ended its isolationist foreign policy called sakoku and modernized from a feudal shogunate to the Meiji government.  It is at the end of the Edo period and preceded the Meiji era.  The major ideological/political factions during this period were divided into the pro-imperialist Ishin Shishi (nationalist patriots) and the shogunate forces, including the elite shinsengumi (newly selected corps) swordsmen.  Although these two groups were the most visible powers, many other factions attempted to use the chaos of Bakumatsu to seize personal power.  The turning point of the Bakumatsu was during the Boshin War and the Battle of Toba Fushimi.  The Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu decided to deceive his own men and sailed for Edo from Osaka Bay.  That was the main reason for the imperial army's victory.

***

Saitō Hajime (Saitō Hajime) (February 18, 1844 September 28, 1915) was born in Edo, Musashi Province (now Tokyo).  He was the captain of the third troop of the Shinsengumi.  One of the few who survived the numerous wars of the late shogunate period, he was considered to be as strong as legendary first troop captain Okita Souji.  Saito was fierce and fearless in combat and his left-handed single thrust was one of the most dreaded and lethal sword techniques used by any member of the Shinsengumi.

Very little is known about his early life and origins, and much of what is said is contradictory.  Some say that he was a son of a ronin, while others say he left Edo after killing a person (some say accidentally) to join an army in Kyoto.

As a member of the Shinsengumi, it is said that Saitō was an introvert and a mysterious person; a common description of his personality says he “was not a man predisposed to small talk.”  He conducted internal spying on possible enemy operatives (i.e. the Itou case), as well as monitoring other intelligence and enemy activity.  His controversial reputation as a “hero” comes from the fact that he killed several corrupt members of the Shinsengumi and police even after the war.

***

            In the days that followed the disappearance of the Battousai…one member of the shinsegumi would survive the chaos and bloodshed, Saito Hajime.  In the ten years following the revolution, he continued to practice the law passed down from the Shinsegumi…Aku Soku Zan…Slay Evil Immediately…as he searched for the samurai.  Along the way however…he encountered something he never expected.

***

            Takagi Tokio, was raised by her father to be a warrior…to never back down from a fight and fight with her heart and soul.  In her quest to become one of the strongest warriors she did encounter her share of battles.  During one such battle during the Boshin Wars, she met a samurai…it was believed that he was the strongest of the imperialists…in her mind she wanted to find him and discover just how powerful he really was, but he disappeared before she could find and challenge him.  She heard that he might be located somewhere in between Kyoto and Tokyo…she had to find him.

***

            Saito worked as an underground assassin slaying key targets of the Meiji Government…but would always turn on those who hired him.  In his mind he would get information from corrupt individuals on other corrupt individuals and then when he took care of them, he would slay the corrupt figure who hired him.  As the Wolf of Mibu, he knew his brand of justice was just…those who were evil would be killed immediately…a philosophy that he carries to this day.

            On this day…Takagi Tokio entered Kyoto…she heard that there was a samurai who was said to be very powerful and malicious in his attacks…she knew it had to be him…Hitokiri Battousai.

            “Wait for me Battousai,” she said,” I will be the one to defeat you!”

***

            Saito was walking the streets that evening when he sensed that he was being followed…perhaps the Battousai has returned to settle the score, but as he let his senses take in everything around him he could smell a type of fragrance with this individual.  It was a woman following him, he was not certain who she was and why she was following him, but he would find out.

            “Battousai,” the female yelled.

            Saito nearly had a heart attack, to be mistaken for the Battousai was an insult.  He turned to see a young woman with long brown hair wearing a black and blue ninja outfit standing there.

            “I finally found you,” she said,” I, Takagi Tokio, will prove that I am the strongest warrior around.”

            As she studied the man she felt her face flush…she found herself being lost in his amber eyes…despite how cold his features may have been, she found herself attracted to him.

            “Tokio was it,” he asked.

            She suddenly snapped back to reality and quickly drew out eight Shurikens in her hand as her target fully faced her.

            “I’m afraid you have mistaken me for some weaker opponent,” he said,” I am Goro Fujita.”

            “I figured you try something like that,” she said with a smile,” now take this!”

            She hurled the shurikens with all her force…there was no way for him to dodge…she had one this fight.  The figure smiled as he drew out his sword with sheath and suddenly used the sheath to catch every blade.  She stared on in shock as he did this…no one had ever stop her attack before.

            “Childish toys,” he said as he hit the bottom of the sword against the ground and knocked all the shurikens off,” why don’t you go home.”

            He turned and was about to walk away making Tokio angry.  She hurled one final shuriken at him as he walked away, when he suddenly moved his head to the side and brought up his sword…the shuriken landed in the hilt of the sword.

            “Trying to go for my weak point huh,” Saito said as he turned toward her,” okay then…you got my attention…I am not Goro Fujita, but Saito Hajime…former leader of the Third Squad of the Shinsegumi…I will crush you!”

            He drew his sword with a smile then watched as she too smiled and pulled out two sai…she would most likely lose her life, but he would be kind enough to give her an honorable death.

To Be Continued…

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