<> Thought
## Written text. (It makes more sense when you have read this.)

Afternoons

Saitou stood at the door of the Kamiya residence. He sighed. There was no easy way to do this but this was undoubtedly the best time. It was the best time that was available to him. The brat was helping out at that restaurant. The other child, the rooster head, was out gambling. The Fox, her sensei and his relations would be occupied until later today. That just left the Battousai and Kamiya home. And for the life of him, he couldn't figure out how to get Kamiya out of her own home long enough for him to talk to the Battousai. Humph! If she knew he was here she would purposely cancel any plans just to make sure her precious rurouni did not wander off. This was as good a time as he was going to get.

His eyes narrowed. He was fairly sure though, that after he explained the situation to the Battousai he would leave her here. As much as he hated it, this crisis would require them both and left no room for amateurs. All he had to do was explain it correctly. Saitou moved his hand to the door, not bothering to hide his presence.

He walked into the yard, looking for the Battousai and his keeper. Hmm, the laundry is done, the yard has been swept. He sniffed the air delicately. There was no one cooking. So where were they? He usually didn't have to wait this long for a fellow professional to notice his presence, especially when he had invaded their territory. He knew they were here. He had checked the river first in the hopes of catching him alone.

That's when he heard it. A muffled curse, the sound of someone moving hurriedly and the shouted question, "What is it, Saitou?"

He turned towards the voice. It was the Battousai's but it wasn't coming from his room. "I have to speak with you."

Another voice answered, from the same direction as the Battousai. "Piss off Saitou. I didn't invite you in. We're busy."

"Gomen, Saitou. Try again later tonight." The Battousai was definitely distracted.

"Tomorrow." The second voice added the word forcefully before it broke into giggles.

Saitou's eye brow rose. Kamiya was definitely growing up. Who would have thought? Well, it was definitely not the right time. Kamiya would probably skewer him herself if he interferred with her afternoon.

He sighed. He was going to have to handle this mission alone.
 

Mail

He lifted the lid on the small wooden box beside the door, removing the folded papers before allowing the lid to fall back into position. He pushed the small red flag down before opening the door and stepping through, sliding it shut behind him.

He removed his shoes, casually pushing them aside neatly, while calling to the occupants of the house and one in particular, "Tadaima, Darling."

A faint response, "Okairinasai, Love," came from the kitchen. A smile crossed his face as he walked through the house in the direction of the call following some delicious smells. He absently flicked through the mail focused more on determining exactly what the elusive smell meant for dinner. <Is that? Letter from Uncle Shinji. No, it couldn't be. Catalogue from K and K's. Yes, I think it is...> He stopped briefly, unbuckling his katana and leaning it gently against the wall. <Note from Aunt Kaede. Yes. It's definitely. Subscription from Swords and You. Kake Soba! Letter from Kamiya Dojo. Yes, my favourite, Kake Soba! Memo from work. Kake Soba... Nani? Letter. From. Kamiya... Dojo..?>

He flicked back through the mail and carefully checked the senders address. It was indeed a letter from the Kamiya Dojo. <How did..? They do not know this address!> A closer inspection revealed that the letter had been forwarded from Tokyo Central Police station. That was slightly reassuring. He didn't like enemies knowing where to find him and he'd just got this house arranged to suit him. Not to mention the ten kinds of Hell Tokio would put him through for moving her again. Worse still, she would probably demand an explanation about who this time and she'd probably conclude that he was not a risk. There were some things she did not understand.

It wasn't these thoughts which drove Captain Fujita to open the letter then. It was the faint hope that this, however unlikely that may be, was the answer to his prayers, a formal challenge from the Battousai. If it was a formal challenge, it would be one from Himura in the Battousai's name since there was no way the Battousai would be able to get the challenge past his more moderate side. He smiled. It would be a challenge from them both. He unfolded the page.

#Dear Captain Fujita-san,#

Well, it was a polite beginning to a challenge letter but then Himura had probably written it.

#I am writing with regard to the damage done when you and Sagara Sanosuke fought in the grounds of the Kamiya Dojo. As the result of that fight, an opening was left in the wall...#

Yes, yes he knew all of this. So this was the reason the Battousai decided to fight. To make up for his followers loss? <He should be thankful I left the puppy alive.> Saitou skipped forward several lines. He didn't care why the Battousai wished to fight. He licked his lips in anticipation of the long hoped for words.

#...the direct result of your actions and your conduct unbecoming of a police officer. You are requested to pay the sum of XXX Yen to cover the repair of the Dojo wall. Inclosed is an invoice breaking down the repair costs...#

Sum of? Repair? He blinked, carefully. No the kanji had not changed. He blinked again, slowly. His hand began to shake, his fist tightening on the paper. He breathed in, his whole body stiff, tense with anger. <This can't be.> He ground his teeth together. Tokio did not appreciate him bringing home his problems. He breathed out, slowly unclenching his hand as he looked at the signature on the letter skipping passed several more lines of text.

#Sincerely

Kamiya Kaoru#

<Why the nerve of that child.>

There was a soft step. He looked up, his face no doubt still showing his anger but that quickly faded as he saw the person who had appeared. Tokio. She was so beautiful, even when she had come straight from the kitchen, her hair slightly mussed from her days work. Her face was alight with a smile of greeting. She choose not to ask about what had made him angry.

"Welcome home, anata. Dinner's almost ready so please go and wash up." She walked past him, no doubt to tell the boy, giving him a gentle kiss as she went by.

He would deal with the letter later. Right now there was Kake Soba to eat.

But Kamiya had not heard the end of this.
 

Jade One