Standard disclaimers: We don't own Ruroken. We wish we did, but unfortunately Watsuki and some big name companies already have this privilege. Be warned: This chapter, where we are just jumping into the story, doesn't tell you much about the actual atmosphere of the fic. Like the title says, things aren´t always what they seem, so please note that there will be lots of changes! The same for Tokio. Don't think that you will learn all about her just by reading this one chapter! Note that she behaves different, depending on the persons around her and the situations. Of course the same for Hajime. We're awfully sorry but it will take some time till we post the next chapter; co-work needs time. Just for your information, not to confuse you: She is the youngest of three siblings Her name in this fic: Takemoto Tokio Her oldest brother: Takemoto Kenichiro, she calls him 'Keni' Her older brother: Takemoto Michinori, she calls him 'Michi' ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTER 1 -Hills around Kyoto, late September 1867- They travelled for several hours through the autumn forest, two men and a girl, not speaking a single word in all that time. While the men seemed to be in a hurry, concentrated on reaching their destination, the girl appeared lost in the beauty of the nature around her and obviously not as interested in their aim as her companions. Slowing down, she finally looked up to the last small hill dividing them from the large city they were travelling for: Kyoto. A light wind revealed two deep, almost black eyes, instantly vulnerable and warm with empathy, but also telling of quick wit and high intelligence, beneath the strands of soft black hair. They were enchanting eyes, young and old at the same time, two pools of darkness pulling at everyone who drowned into their depths, but there was also an unnerving knowledge in them, rarely seen in a girl so young. The long plait hanging down to her hips swung in the same wind. Dressed in a dark red hakama and a white kimono, she moved effortlessly graceful but in spite of this, the hurry of the two others seemed to annoy her for she slowed down even more when she realized how near they were to their destination. But then the annoyance disappeared, making place for a warm smile. The beautiful coloured leaves falling sound-less to the ground, the breathtaking blue sky, the last late blooming wild-flowers; the whole atmosphere was so peaceful that the girl could not help but sigh. Closing her eyes, she let her head fall back, feeling the sun shining warm on her face, and a small nostalgic smile appeared on her lips. There wouldn´t come much more of these days before the fall of winter... When she finally found back to reality, she realized that she was loosing connection to her companions. "He, Keni! Michi! Wait for me!" The two men stopped, the taller one seeming somewhat annoyed. "Come on, Tokio, it isn't far to Kyoto and we must arrive there before sunset", he addressed her, waiting impatiently for her to catch up with him and the other guy. He was an attractive man but a fainting scar across his mouth and chin gave his handsome face a bold look. Tokio wrinkled her nose at him. "Ma, Kenichiro! You keep saying this for hours now!" "Do you want to spent another night in the woods?" The second man, smaller than his companion and looking much friendlier with his round face, approached her and slammed his fist in her back. "No problem for me. I mean the spiders cannot eat us, can they?" This comment obviously managed to quicken the young girl's steps. For a short while they walked in silence again, but then Tokio gave the smaller man a smack on the back of his head. "You did not tell me where we will stay, Michi!" "Because I don't know." He shrugged his shoulders. "Ask Keni, he is the mastermind who organised this trip." "TRIP?" Obviously that did not please her. "You call this a trip?! I want to see you in my situation!" A wide grin appeared on his round face, content of succeeding in teasing the girl and getting her annoyed so easily. "Ma, what is so horrible about getting married?" The black eyes lost their sweetness and showed real anger. "YOU are not the one who is going to be married!" she told him in a sharp voice. "If you are such a marriage-crazy freak, why don't you just take one of your silly girlfriends?!" The grin vanished as fast as it had appeared some seconds before. "Hey, they haven't been silly! Take that back!" The girl stopped dead in her tracks directly in front of him. "Why should I?! They had been silly! That's the truth!" "You haven't the faintest idea! THAT's the truth!" "Completely clue-less, that's what you are! Do you even remember Yuki?" Tokio passed an annoyed Michinori who took the occasion and grabbed her plait pulling her back with it. "Leave Yuki out of this!" Her turning and smacking him on his shoulder appeared to be one fluid movement. "Hey! What was that for? Watch what you are doing!" The oldest of the three rolled his eyes. "I'm on the end of my tether! Shut up you two! It is always the same with you." The two siblings exchanged knowing looks, calming down at instant. "We are sorry, Keni. It will never happen again! Promise!" He raised a brow. "Never means the next hour, or what?" "So where are we staying, Keni?" the girl quickly changed the topic, giving him her brightest smile, which never lost its effect on anyone. "In an inn near the headquarters of this Shinsengumi-organisation. And Tokio?" "Yes?" She looked at him with wide-opened, innocent eyes. "Hurry up. You are slowing down AGAIN!" **** They had some problems finding the right district in the confusing streets-system of Kyoto, but finally they managed to reach Mibu and to spot the right inn. It was a small, wrecked house at which Tokio couldn't help but wrinkling her nose. "Keni, that's typical! You have chosen the cheapest dosshouse you had been offered and were able to find." Michinori complained, speaking out loudly what his sister only thought. "No, I have chosen the one closest to the headquarters where the meeting takes place", their brother explained with a superior smile that clearly told them how completely ignorant they were to the really important points of decisions - in contrast to him! Tokio and Michinori exchanged desperate glances, but knowing that there was no way to discuss with him anyway, none of them contradicted him. After all Kenichiro was the eldest. Therefore they submitted to their fates and followed him grumbling into the inn. While settling down their luggage in their room the first cockroach popped up between the tatamis, which were surprisingly new and clean. Tokio and Michinori, even more annoyed by now, exchanged glances again. "It was the price. You have been right", the girl whispered, paying attention not to let their brother hear her words. Michinori nodded. "It's just too typical", he whispered back. "I mean it's always the same with him, isn't it?" They continued making themselves a home, and, for Tokio's standards of what she called 'home' were quite high to say at least, it was already late afternoon when they were finished. Of course the girl wasn't satisfied for long and after a few minutes of relaxation, she started to move impatiently from one foot to another, a pleading look on her face. "What about the temples? You promised to visit the Golden and the Silver Temple with me." Michinori moaned. "Come on, Tokio-chan, you spent the last days complaining about the long, strenuous way from Osaka and now you want to visit the temples just to have a sightseeing-tour?" "Honestly, I want to buy an umbrella." Now the brothers exchanged desperate glances. "A typical woman." Kenichiro rolled his eyes. Tokio started to open her mouth to protest, but her other brother was quicker addressing Kenichiro. "I'm relieved there is a possibility to get rid of her, she is too expensive." "We don't know if that guy takes her, Michi! No false hope!" Tokio became red. "He you can't judge like that! I'm the only woman you really know! I don't count this silly girlfriends of yours! You aren't even married! Both of you!" "We have no chance, do we, Michi?" Kenichiro knowingly addressed his brother. "I'm afraid, not. We can buy the umbrella on the way back from the temple." "Which one would you prefer, Tokio?" She narrowed her eyes a bit. "I want to see both!" "That's impossible, they are on opposite sides of the city." Tokio's eyes darkened even more, visibly not very pleased about not getting what she wanted, but then she cheered up again. "Then the Silver one! I don't mind that it isn't finished!" 3 hours later: Two tired men dropped on their futons and stared disbelieving at the cheerful girl, who, unmarked in her freshness, examined the umbrella she hold in her hands. "Thank you! It is absolutely gorgeous!" Gracefully, she took place at their sides. "And I adored the garden around the building! Have you ever seen so many kois before?" "Is there a way to calm her down, Keni?" An exhausted Michinori laid back and closed his eyes. His brother just shrugged his shoulders. "Time will show, I think." Tokio couldn't help but smile. "And to think that your gender is considered to be the stronger one", she mocked the two gently. "By the way, what do you think about regaining your strength by visiting this nice restaurant we have seen on our way tomorrow?" "The Aioya? No problem, kitten." Michinori yawned. "Now, please go to sleep, we have to get up early tomorrow." *** "Hurry up, Tokio, or we will be late!" Michinori with his hair messed up, tried to hurry his sister who was facing a problem with the heavy silk in front of her, picking it up, searching the sleeve, putting it down again, effortless. "VERY funny, Michi! Please help me! I can't dress alone in this kimono." Michi stepped closer and helped his sister to arrange the dark blue silk around her. "That is a very good quality. I was surprised that Keni actually bought it." They tried to arrange the collar and to close front in an elegant way, without creases. "I was quite surprised, too. Obviously he wants to impress the guys." Finally they succeeded and started to look around for the obi. "Where do you have the obi, Tokio?" "It is still in the box, I think, could you please hand it over?" She reached out one hand while holding the silk in place with the other one, while her brother opened the box and picked up a lilac-silver one. His friendly eyes suddenly narrowed. "That was mother's obi." "Yes." Tokio forced herself to smile but she knew that she wasn't very convincing. "It fits perfectly to the dark blue colour of the kimono. And I thought...well maybe she would like me to wear it at a day like this." They both looked sadly down on it, lost in their memories. Finally Michinori touched it gently. "Do you remember mother wearing it?" Tokio's black eyes grew even darker. "No, I was too young when she wore it the last time. She didn't use it very often, it is a special one." They remained silent for some minutes, both lost in their thoughts. Then Tokio suddenly cheered up. "Hey, let's get finished and go over. This is not a good time to get depressed. Maybe I met the love of my life today!" Michinori coughed and laughed at the same time. "Poor guy, I already feel sympathy for him." The girl's eyes darkened again and in a sudden movement she slammed her elbow in her brothers stomach what made him gasp for air. Tokio smiled innocently. "Oh, I'm awfully sorry. Does it hurt?" Her brother just gave her a grin in return, wise enough not to continue teasing her. When they had finished dressing in their formal 'outfit', they stepped out of the inn to enter the Shinsengumi-headquarters where they were ordered to wait in front of an audience room. "Do you know what they are discussing? Why has Keni left earlier?" Michinori shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea, kitten. Honestly." Tokio smiled frustrated and began to smooth her kimono. "I admit, I'm a bit exited who he is and how he looks like!" "Don't panic, Tokio. You look..." His look grew warmer as he examined her. "Well, if you want to hear my unworthy opinion, you're simply breathtaking!" Tokio wrinkled her nose. "That was exactly my fear, you idiot!" Then she sighed in frustration. "But what am I trying to explain it to you, anyway? YOU are not the one who is maybe married here." Someone opened the sliding door from inside, indicating them to enter. Michinori gave her a last warning glance. "Please be cheerful and graceful, Tokio! I don't want to have an annoyed Keni around!" In response, his younger sister just rolled her eyes. "I know how to behave, Michi. You really don't have to tell me." He entered the room followed by Tokio with a bowed head. In the middle of the room was a longer table, which immediately caught the girl's attention for a couple of men kneeled around it. Her eyes discovered a small fat man looking quite self-confidently. The marriage broker. She lowered her gaze in order not to show him her sudden, irrational disgust. Something about this man was wrong; an aura of miserliness and pedantry surrounded him, pestered even the air in the room and sickened her like few things in her life had done before. Nevertheless, she bowed modestly, not losing her grace for even a single moment. She had learned long ago that it was an easy task to fool the world with her impassive, beautiful mask. Secretly, she took a closer look to the three men sitting on the one long side of the table, and to Kenichiro who was kneeling alone on the opposite side. But she had not much time for her investigation. "The last two members of the Takemoto-family from Osaka", the marriage broker announced them and waited till they stepped closer and sat down beside their brother, Tokio between them, before introducing everyone. "Kondou Isami-sensei leader of the Shinsen-gumi organisation." They bowed at each other while Tokio furtively watched him; he was seated on the left side from her ankle. A plump man, leisurely, a friendly face-expression and almost closed bright eyes, reduced to two slits so thin, that they gave off a an almost harmless impression which contrasted strongly with the extreme intelligence shining in them. The girl suppressed a smile. Without knowing the man at all, she was quite sure that people tended to underestimate him, but she definitely wouldn't fall for his masquerade. After all, she knew quite a bit about hiding one´s true face herself so a second, more intense glance at him revealed her a severe expression around his mouth and a trained fighter despite the plump figure. Kondou Isami, certainly an interesting man. "Hijikata Toshizo-sensei, vice captain." She turned towards the second man seated on the right side who barely gave her a nod. Good-looking, handsome, but nothing interesting or worth a closer observation. "Saitou Hajime-san, one of the squad leaders." Finally, she turned her attention to the third man, seated between the others, the man who was the reason for her being here. Dangerous. That was her first impression. There was something dangerous about this tall thin man with the sharp, angular face who bowed casually in front of her. Then she risked a look into his eyes, and for the fraction of a second she froze, amazed by the cold amber fire shining in them, a fire which sent a shiver down her spine. He stared at her steadily, with a speculative, nearly ironic look, obviously not caring about the impoliteness of such an open examination. Not only dangerous, but also a strong personality with an own will and a determination to prevail it. A fatal mixture. Then her smile returned. No, she wouldn't let herself get caught by that wolf. She wouldn't let fall down her mask but smile like the brain-less girl she was supposed to be. After all, this was the job she was trained in, wasn't it? "Takemoto Kenichiro-san head of the Takemoto Family in Osaka, you know him already", the marriage broker destroyed the last bit of atmosphere and somewhat relieved she turned to him. "Takemoto Michinori-san his younger brother." "Takemoto Tokio-san, their youngest sister." The both gave the Shinsengumi on the other side of the table a welcoming bow. "Maybe you should introduce your sister, Takemoto-san", the marriage broker tried to start a conversation to ease the mood. He sickened Tokio even more by now for she clearly felt his lecherous eyes on her, but her smile didn't leave her lips. Although that was quite hard when Kenichiro began with his silly presentation. "This is Tokio, our sister." he explained in his cold matter-of-fact voice the girl so often mocked about. "I educated her myself. She is 20 years old and graceful, as you can see." Tokio bowed to the men facing her "It is a pleasure to meet you." Hijikata and Saitou stayed quiet, just replying with a slight nod of their heads, nearly unrecognisable, while Kondou gave her a warm, winning smile. "The same to you, Takemoto-san. I hope you had a pleasant journey from Osaka to Kyoto." Tokio cast a glare at Kenichiro, which didn't go unnoticed. "Yes, thank you, Kondou-sensei. It was a long, strenuous way but surprisingly safe. We did not have trouble on the road, quite seldom these days." "I am relieved to hear that, the roads are not safe in times of a revolution. I hope you are enjoying your stay here in Kyoto. Where are you staying? Is it comfortable?" Tokio cast a second glare at Kenichiro, which again was also noticed by the rest. "We are staying at a small inn run by a family we had been recommended. We have everything we need there." It was impossible to tell what Kondou thought about her answers. "Did you already have a look around Kyoto?" was his next question. The girl nodded. "Yes, yesterday we visited the Silver Temple, a beautiful area, the arrangements in the garden are gorgeous." The Shinsengumi smiled. "Indeed, I agree with you." "Thank you, Kondou-sensei." Carefully Tokio returned the smile. "Do you enjoy Kyoto so far?" It was an easy task to give him what he wanted to hear. "Yes, it is a wonderful city! The population is very helpful and courteous, it is a perfect place to live in." she lied elegantly with a fetching smile on her lips while thinking about the disgusting inn-keeper who nearly drove her crazy with his insufferable arrogance. "I'm pleased to hear that, Takemoto-san." "Thank you very much, Kondou-sensei." Another little smile appeared on Kondou's face. "You should see the city in late spring, it is even more attractive then." "Hopefully, I would be able to enjoy it; I heard a great deal about it", Tokio answered politely, although thinking that she would be much happier if she would be sent home to Osaka by this man. Kondou bowed his head a little bit, taking it for granted that people all over Japan knew about the beautiful scenery of Kyoto in this season before he continued with his questions. "I'm sure you enjoy reading a book at the moment, would you mind telling me which one?" Tokio suppressed a little smile. It was more than just seldom that a Japanese woman was educated and it always delighted her to see the curiousness of people when they heard that she was one of these rare specimen. "No, of course I don't mind. I'm enjoying the writings of Basho at the moment." Like she thought, the Shinsengumi seemed rather surprised. "You actually can read and write?" Kenichiro obviously meant it was time to interfere and cut of his sister with a wink of his hand "I taught her. It was necessary after our father left and we had to take care of business on our own." Surprised Kondou raised an eyebrow at Kenichiro, as if he would not know already. They must have discussed something while Michinori and Tokio hadn't been around. "You belong to the class of independent Samurai? Owning land?" Kenichiro nodded in agreement. "Yes, despite this our father decided to fight for the Shogunate. He delegated the land to me, so I take care of it together with my siblings." "An honourable decision, I appreciate this." A small smile appeared around Kenichiros lips while he bowed emotion-less. "Thank you very much, Kondou-sensei." Narrowing his eyes even a bit more, Kondou investigated further. "Why don't you try to marry your sister with one of your own?" Kenichiro, to Tokio's surprise not annoyed about this private, intimily question, didn't lose his emotion-less voice. "I try to full-fill the last wishes of my father. He wouldn't appreciate it, seeing his daughter being married to one of these men." Kondou leaned a bit back, crossing his arm in front of his chest, watching Kenichiro carefully, intensely. "I see, Takemoto-san." This let to a slight pause of the conversation and the marriage broker prepared to interfere, not able to tolerate the silence for one minute, but Kondou was quicker addressing Saitou. "Maybe you should say something, Saitou-kun." Tokio registered the glare Saitou cast at his boss and couldn't help but smile; it was too obvious what he thought about this whole affair. Kondou must have realized it, too, but was not impressed one bit. "He always needs an invitation. Please excuse him, Takemoto-san." Saitou flicked her a slightly contemptuous glance. "So you are interested in gardens and reading?" His voice sounded deep and oddly agreeable, both mocking and serious. "Very interesting." On the outside, this was just a polite statement but Tokio could see the ridicule in his eyes. She did not know why, but it made her want to defend herself. "You might not believe it, they really are." He rose an eyebrow, obviously bored to the utmost. "Is that so?" Why was he showing his boredom so openly? Tokio gathered her thoughts in order to answer him, when Kenichiro, knowing the stolid expression of his sister just too well, interfered, afraid she would leave a bad impression and ruin everything. "She means that she is interested in more than these two things." The other one remained stoic. "Really? Are you?" "Yes, I am, Saitou-san. I..." She prepared to explain, but her brother interfered a second time. "She likes arranging flowers, tea ceremonies, music and theatre." The young girl's eyes widened with every mentioning. When he was finished, she cast an astonished glance at him: "You must know it, big brother. I clearly see it now, how could I have missed to mention that." Saitou did not comment on her last remark. "So you are interested in tradition?" Tokio hesitated for a second time, giving the Shinsengumi her most enchanting smile. Yes, she was, but not as much as her brother pretended her to be. To her tradition was merely a way to fit society´s standards, nothing her heart was really involved with in a great extent and something about this man told her that she would not be able to deceive these perceptive eyes. So what did he expect of her? Kenichiro used her hesitation to answer for her. "Of course she is, Saitou-san." Gradually, he really began to sicken her. "Thank you for answering for me, Kenichiro. That saves some effort for me", she hissed quite ungratefully. He cast a deathly glance at his younger sister for he couldn't answer without causing a brawl here, which was the last thing he wanted. The three men at the other side of the table watched the dawning eclat with interest. While taking a short glance at them, Tokio noticed for the split of a second some interest in the cold amber eyes, but when Saitou, noticing her glance, he settled back and crossed his arms in front of him. "No more questions." No, she must have been imagined things. "Really?" Kondou gave Saitou an admonishing glance. "I think you are not finished yet." Inside the girl smiled about this two men and their interaction, but she didn't show it and waited patiently for the next question. Saitou sighed and turned towards her a second time. "So you enjoyed Kyoto?" Gracefully she bowed to him. She would have to say something, take the initiative for he wasn't really wasting effort for a conversation here. "Yes, the crafts in Kyoto are really well-known, we already visited a man producing umbrellas and I bought one." Not that she expected him to be interested in umbrellas, but she couldn't think of what else to say and furthermore she was absolutely unable to tell what he was thinking since he showed an expressionless face towards her. "That's what Kyoto is famous for, Takemoto-san. Have you already seen Nijo-jo?" "Unfortunately we didn't had time and I doubt we would have the privilege to enter the area." "Yes, you might be right, they are rather strict with the permissions." Tokio needed her whole self-control not to grin. His statement clearly showed his disinterest and how badly he wanted to end the conversation. But he should not think that she would make things so easy for him. It was time to make him speak a bit more, time to force some answers out of him. And the greatest thing was that he had no choice but to answer if he didn't want to be impolite to her in front of his commander. "Please excuse me, Saitou-san," She addressed him directly, staring at him, and clearly showing that she would not tolerate his behaviour any longer, "You aren't joining the Shinsengumi for a long time already, are you?" "For over one year now." He started to stare back, trying to indicate her that it would be better to stay quiet -which was the last thing she would do! The man really deserved it and although she was feeling her older brother becoming uncomfortable, she was definitely going to pester this wolf a bit more! "That is longer than I thought." She continued staring back at him which worked with most persons she know, but he didn't even start to feel uncomfortable at all. Really a fatal mixture. She was quite surprised that he was still alive with this self-confidence. Where did he come from? "Do you come from Kyoto?" "No, originally I was born in Edo." "Your family still lives there?" He gave up, realising she wouldn't let drop the subject before he told her what she wanted to hear and feeling the displeasure of Kondou about his short answers. "I have an older brother and sister, they still live in Edo with my mother and my father." She wasn't able to turn away from those amber eyes anymore. Despite his coldness and self-confidence there was something about him, she wasn't able to tell what. Perhaps the hidden, cold fire burning in these eyes? "I see, you still have your family there." "Yes. What about your parents?" "They are both dead. Our father left some years ago and my mother died when I was younger." "I'm sorry to hear that, Takemoto-san." "Thank you for expressing your condolences to us, but it was long ago and we arranged our lives by now." She gave him smile, trying to show him that she didn't believe he wanted to express something like this. They stared at each other for some seconds trying to figure out the other one's intention when finally Saitou began to speak again. "I have no further questions, Kondou-sensei." Kondou gave his underlining a look which clearly indicated that he had expected a little bit more effort and interest and looked questioningly at Hijikata who seemed to have dozed away during the last few minutes. He finally gave up. "No further questions from our side for this time. Is there still something you want to know?" Kenichiro cast a glance at his sister and brother, who both shacked their heads slightly. "Everything cleared from our side, Kondou-sensei", he answered modestly. "After all, this meeting took just place to have a first impression." "Fine. You'll hear from us soon." They all looked at the broker and with his final agreeing nod, the Takemoto- family raised and headed backwards to the exit, while bowing a few more times, faces always turned towards the kneeling men. When reaching the sliding door, Michinori longed behind him and opened it while Kenichiro dismissed them. "Have a nice day, I hope to have a second invitation soon." Four men nodded back and Tokio took a last glance at this fascinating man she just met. He didn't seem to consider them worth a final glance. To be more accurate, he even made an impression of relief that this farce was over. She smiled inwardly. This might be the wrong impression, but she felt the same. With a last bowing, she left the room behind her brothers and slid the door closed behind her. *** Back in their accommodation they dressed in less expensive, not so official clothes. Like always it was Tokio who broke the silence. "Ma, Michi, this man is disgusting!" "Don't complain, Tokio! This might be your husband." In response, his sister just rolled her eyes. "I meant the marriage broker! This Saitou is", she hesitated, thinking once again of the burning amber of those eyes. "I think, he´s kind of... fascinating." Michinori swallowed for this was not the answer he expected. His impression of the man was entirely different. But in the end neither his nor Tokio's opinion counted. "What do you think of him, Keni?" Kenichiro gave his sister a warm look. "Most important is who is is and neither how he looks like nor how he behaves. He is one of the squad leaders, which is quite an important position." He took Tokio in his arms, placing a kiss in her hair. "I only want the best for you, kitten." "I know that, Keni." She gave her brother a warm loving smile returning the hug before she pulled back, cheerfully asking her brothers "What about lunch now? I'm hungry!" Both cheered up with her like they always did when she used her charm on them. "Excellent idea! Let's head to the Aoiya!" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- To be continued... It is up to you ;-). Thank you very much for being a considerate reviewer. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- A 'few' concessions Mara made: - I know that the Aoiya wasn't a restaurant at that time, but I like the idea (ok, I looked it up, it WAS a restaurant =^^=, thanks for the hint) - I don't care that the Shinsengumi had other problems at this time than getting married and having a romance. - I know that people had not been allowed to change their residential district and travel around without permission. - I don't mind if it was possible to visit the Golden and Silver Temple in this time-period - I know Tokio was from Tokyo/Edo and the daughter of an important Aizu official (Takagi?) - I know that Samurai changed their names with their 15th year, the brothers and their sister would not all be named Takemoto - and so on, so on, so on,... SUMMARY: WE DON'T CARE!