Disclaimer: I do not own Peacemaker Kurogane or Rurouni Kenshin.

Chapter 1: Susumu's Replacement

Early in the afternoon...

"Oooooh! No way! Serious?!" Shinpachi exclaimed.

Heisuke replied, "Yep! Definitely sure! The rumors all say Okita-san is going geisha! How cute!!"

Sanosuke jumped in, "Nani?! What about Okita-san?!"

Shinpachi chuckled, "Heisuke said Souji's going on a mission as a geisha!"

"N-n-no way!! COOL!! He's the perfect role!"

Sanosuke clutched his hands together and sobbed with joy while Shinpachi and Heisuke linked arms, dancing around the well. Just then, interrupting their celebration, Saizo came running up to them, bouncing up and down at their feet. "Bwee! Bwee!" Chasing after Saizo, Souji came to an abrupt halt and finally got hold of the unusually active pig. Picking up Saizo, Souji stood up and glanced at the grinning Comedian Trio.

"Oh, ohayou! You three are awfully happy this morning. By the way, do any of you know where Tetsu-kun is?" Souji asked.

Shinpachi answered happily, "He's out shopping with Saya-chan. Sigh. Sweet, young love. Anyway, getting back on subject!"

"Nani? We weren't talking about anything," Souji asked, confused.

Sanosuke nudged Souji with a mischievious gleam in his eyes, "Aww, come on! Tell us already!"

"But-but, tell you what?"

"Don't be silly. May this word: geisha, help you out?" Heisuke snorted trying to hold in his laughter.

Souji's smile quickly disappeared as his eyes widened with shock. He softly whispered, "How did you guys find out? Actually, your partially wrong..."

Then the three of them begged at once with tears puddling at their feet, "OH OKITA-SAN!! PLEASE TELL US THE TRUTH!! Cough, cough. Oh, and uh, rumors about you, the legendary Okita Souji, spread all the time." They smiled innocently, "Heh, heh."

Souji didn't mind much though, he was quite infamous and used to continuous rumors. "Hmm, fine, fine! Well, it all started when..."

Flashback from the day before...

"Hi-jikata-san!!" Souji sang merrily entering his room, "You called me in. What is it?"

Hijikata looked up, "Oh, you're finally here. Have some tea, Tetsu made it," he pointed at the disgusting tea.

Souji gulped, taking the cup and staring at the murky water. "Yep, Tetsu-kun definitely made this," he thought.

"Getting on topic, you're being sent to Shimabara..."

Suddenly coughing, he choked on the nasty tea. "I-I don't know what to say...why?"

"...And you're going as a prostitute."

With that, Souji's jaw gaped open, he couldn't believe what Hijikata was saying. A silent breeze passed through the room and two stared at each other like statues, Hijikata with an arrogant smirk and Souji with a desperate look in his eyes. After what seemed forever, Souji finally broke the silence.

"Nani?! Doushite?!" he cried. (A/N: haha, late reaction.)

"You need to find out some information from that place. Supposedly, there are rumors that Ishin Shishi are staying there."

"Hai, hai. But where's Yamazaki-san at a time like this? Hijikata-san, we both know he's a better spy by all means. Anyway, he IS a spy. Sigh."

Hijikata twitched his eyebrows, "Yes, I know, but Yamazaki's currently on a mission to Masuya, so you have to go. Besides, you look most womanly amongst the Shinsengumi, you'll be perfect for this mission."

Souji thought momentarily, "Is Hijikata-san actually trying to dis me by calling me a woman? He need more practice at name calling, but calling me womanly...that is pretty harsh."

Shaking his head, he returned to reality and answered obediently,"Hai, hai."

Hijikata sighed, "You're leaving tomorrow evening, and remember, be safe. You're going as a woman, in fact, a prostitute. So try not to be tempted to draw your sword. If Ishin Shishi are in fact staying there, and they find out who you really are, they will kill you without hesitation."

He paused for a moment, "On a lighter note, Tetsu will bring you your kimono. It's definitely your taste. Now, I'm going back to sleep."

Souji got up to leave, putting the tea down and smiled, "My taste? How considerate Hijikata-san!"

Hijikata looked away and grinned.

Souji took one glance at the pink kimono and shrieked just as Tetsu tripped over his foot, falling into Souji's room.

He mumbled and sighed, "Great. I even dropped Okita-san's kimono."

"Oh, Tetsu-kun! Sorry to scare you. It's just...the kimono! What was Hijikata-san thinking?! Humph, my taste? Yeah right!"

Tetsu looked up, puzzled. Then looking at the kimono, he grimaced. "Heh, it is pretty bad. HAHAHA! There's even bunnies and flowers all over it!!"

Souji gave Tetsu a long, deep stare.

"Uhh...I mean, I love it. It's truly beautiful."

Okita giggled, "Hai, hai, hai. Now, from tommarow evening, I will be Isako Murichi. Only, Isako Murichi."

"Yeah," Tetsu looked down and frowned, "But, are you're going to Shimabara right? Well, Saya-chan will be there too and... Oh never mind...Oops! I think Hijikata-san is calling me! Better go!! Bye Okita-san!"

Tetsu left in a dash slamming the sliding door behind him. However, Hijikata didn't call him, so instead he walked back and forth around the quarters nervously. He had a bad feeling that something terrible would happen. He knew Saya-chan would be at Shimabara, and he didn't want her to get stuck in the middle of anything. Just as he was in deep thought, he felt a slight tap on his shoulder.

"Tetsu-kun?"

He leaped almost three feet high, frightened to death. Then he turned around quickly, acting blissful and carefree.

"Uh-oh, it's Okita-san," he thought.

"Umm, yes?" Tetsu asked shakily, looking at the ground. He was afraid that Okita-san would be annoyed at him for lying and leaving on such a short notice. He pushed that thought away and gathered his confidence looking straight into Souji's eyes. However to his surprisment, Okita-san didn't look suspicious of any sort. In fact, he was looked quite cheerful.

"Tetsu-kun, please don't worry. Saya-chan will be fine," Souji smiled and patted Tetsu's hair. "Let's sit."

Without hesitation, Tetsu sat down with Souji by his side. "Well, what do you want to tell me Okita-san? You're here for a reason."

Souji giggled, "Not really, I just wanted to chat with you!"

Tetsu eyed him, "Admit it, it's so obvious."

Souji sighed and gave in, "Tetsu-kun, you're not a child anymore. You should understand that I, in no way, would ever harm Saya-chan and would protect her if she was in any danger..."

"Hah! I thought the best from you Okita-san!" Tetsu nodded happily, chuckling to himself over worrying about such a silly thing.

" -but if she was an enemy of the Shinsengumi...we would cut her down. I'm telling you this because if anything threatens us, no matter what and even if it was against our own will, we would have to do something about it."

Tetsu suddenly stopped laughing and silently stared off into space. Abruptly, Tetsu stood up and stared eye to eye with Souji. "Trying to scare me, huh? Well, Okita-san. I already know you, as who you are, would do that...no matter what, just like you say," Tetsu shook his head disapprovingly and walked away angrily, leaving Okita all alone once again.

Souji thought to himself... "You as who you are" ...What does he mean that? Did he already expect that much from me? Souji sighed deeply with concern and tried to forget about it.

Souji looked up to see Heisuke, Sanosuke, and Shinpachi listening contently with bulging eyes and perked up ears.

"Well, that's pretty much what happened."

"Th-that at was the best story I've heard in FOREVER!!" they blurted out at once.

Souji smiled, "Yep! Well, since it's about time I start getting ready, I should get going. Although, I wish Tetsu-kun was still here. I wanted to speak with him before I..."

Souji paused and a horrific expression came over his face. Oh no, Tetsu-kun is with Saya-chan?! What is he planning? Does this mean he's telling Saya?

He shook his head in frustration. No, no. He would never do that. This is confidential information. But still, why is he with her at a time like this? Hm, maybe they're just out together like a normal outing. Yes, just a normal outing.

The Comedian Team blinked innocently and Sanosuke whispered, "Okita-san has definitely gone crazy. He's talking to himself!"

"Well, maybe he's so nervous about going to Shimabara! HAHA! I wouldn't blame him, he's going to be a prostitute with men drooling over him!!" Shinpachi replied.

The three roared with laughter until they finally settled down. Something was wrong, it was quiet, too quiet. So they looked around to say goodbye to Souji, but he had already left.

A/N: Yay! My first chapter is done! What will happen in the next chapter when he goes to Shimabara? Review and you'll find out sooner!

Thanks to all my friends and your support!
:) Reiia