A few things before I start this.
The Bakumatsu is too often highly romanticized in popular culture, manga, and anime. It was a turbulent and violent time in Japan. There was nothing really positive about this time, and Kyoto was the epicenter of all the madness and violence. It is my goal to not romanticize things in this story, and keep things gritty. Because, I don't romanticize things in my story, as a general rule.
Reviews, follows, favorites, and all that jazz is cool beans and pretty damn sweet. So, do that if you want.
Overall, I hope this is enjoyable, as I've never written a story for this fandom, yet. This could be a one shot, or it could continue into a over 100 chapter story. As you've seen, I have two of those now.
Summary: Before they were called the Shinsengumi they were called the Mibu Ronin and Seichu Ronin. Kondo wasn't the Bereau Chief, Hijikata wasn't yet the Demon Commander, and there were three leaders; Kondo, Serizawa, and Nimi, and three groups. The Kondo group. The Serizawa group. The Tunoichi group. This is about the humble, meager, turbulent, and violent beginnings of what would later be known as the Shinsengumi.
Hijikata Toshizo's jaw was clenched so tight that if he were to keep it clenched for just another second, surely all of his teeth would shatter. He was a reserved, but straight forward man. He grew up living a typical life, had a few failed apprenticeships, and he spend the rest of his days before coming here to Kyoto as a medicine peddler to get by, and honing his kenjutsu as he traveled. He always wanted to be a Samurai, he planted that tree in his yard as a child, and made a promise to himself that day that he would become a Samurai.
However, he had no intention of becoming a Samurai like these Samurai that walked around all lofty. He would become a true Samurai, not caring about money or prestige, but putting his life on the line for his beliefs, and for his lord. Samurai now were just mere imitations of their ancestors, in his opinion. Sure, they held the title and rank, they were born into the Samurai class, but seeing them, and how they kicked the common people.
It made him sick to his stomach. Once upon a time ago a Samurai would have never just kicked people for the hell of it. True, people had to bow to them when they were walking through the area, but the Samurai never cared about such things. If it was a clear sign of disrespect, only then would they take extreme action and kill whoever merited the disrespect. That didn't include harassing women.
He came to Kyoto for one reason and one reason only. To make a name for himself. To make a name of Kondo, his best friend. But, things weren't going as he had been expecting, and while he was pragmatic enough to understand that they'd really have no support save for themselves, he hated the fact that amidst their numbers there was one Samurai that embodied everything he absolutely hated.
"Hijikata! We're going to Shimabara for drinks!" Serizawa Kamo bellowed despite standing in the door way. A pale skinned man with beady black eyes, and a rather thick build he was renown for his Shindo Munen as he was for his violent temper and overall lack of any self control.
Hijikata narrowed his eyes, biting his tongue, hard. He was ready to give a retort that would send the man into a rage, like he's always done, but since Kondo told him to not be so confrontational with the man he refrained from stating the obvious stupidity of this man. This man was a severe problem in more ways than one, Hijikata wasn't even concerned with his alcoholism or indulgence, while both did vex him, it was that fact that people were going to start viewing Serizawa as the leader of the group instead of Kondo.
If that happened they were going to be ruined before they could even get started. Kondo wouldn't have his chance to lead, they wouldn't have a chance to make a name for themselves, and worse of all they wouldn't be able to serve the Shogunate to the best of their abilities because one of the 'picture perfect' Samurai had his head so far up his ass that doing anything worthwhile was an arduous task.
Kondo needed to be the leader-the only leader of this group. It went beyond just his desire to see Kondo as a commander, as a valiant Samurai, it was the simpe fact that of everyone present only Kondo could lead this group. Only he was truly capable of shouldering their burdens. Serizawa wasn't capable of getting up off from the ground because he had a bottle of sake at his side every single chance he got.
Hijkata took a slow breath, exhaling two seconds later. "I'm staying here."
Serizawa's eyes narrowed, the image was something between amusing and ghastly. "We have more than enough reward money."
Hijikata's eyes cut sharply. "That reward money could be put to something more useful."
"You enjoy yourselves, I'm kind of tired."
Kondo-a man with rustic features and a sharp gaze, one of the three leaders of the group, interjected before these two started going at it again. He stared at his best friend until Hijikata turned away from his gaze, lips pressing together as he fought off his anger. He turned his eyes onto Serizawa next, the man looked ready to slam the steel fan a few times onto Hijikata's skull.
Serizawa didn't tolerate any disrespect. Hijikata being Hijikata, the two just didn't mix.
Kondo gave an easy half smile when Serizawa turned towards him, his head declining as he balanced himself. "Ever since we've joined the Aizu our workload is steadily increasing, and there's always the issue with the hitokiri."
"Hitokiri. Dogs of those little Choshu men." Serizawa spat, having enough of the excuses.
He gave a stiff nod, his eyes roaming to everyone else gathered around the two farmers; his eyes finally fell onto Okita and Nagakura, before finally falling onto Saito. He knew Yamanami wasn't going to partake in drinking because he'd stay with Kondo and Hijikata-he'd also bore everyone to death and kill the mood with his always so stiff talk.
"What about you three?"
"I'll go!" Harada jumped up to his feet, the widest grin on his face as he nodded his head. His spiky hair, that came up every which way and hung down to the top of his shoulder blades bobbed with him as he nodded.
Okita smiled a serene smile, his thick hair shading his big, bright eyes. One would never take this short and youthful looking man to be one of the most powerful and gifted swordsman in the group. "I'll go to in the case, I'll have a better chance of finding the hitokiris in Shimabara than here anyways."
"Souji-" Hijikata started, tone becoming tight.
"I guess I'll go to then. Someone needs to keep this fool from going crazy." Nagakura, a thick built man with a serious expression smacked Harada on the shoulder, eyes going to Kondo.
I'll watch Souji too don't worry.
Kondo nodded ever so slightly, seeing the flash in Nagakura's eyes.
Saito stood up, remaining all but silent as he gave a nod in Kondo's direction, focus turning onto Serizawa. His amber eyes seemed to be narrowed all by themselves, without him even attempting to do it in the first place. "Okita's right, finding the hitokiri will be easier in Shimabara."
"I'm taking them with me." Serizawa locked eyes with Hijikata.
"We're not here to get drunk and battle hitokiri day and night." Hijikata's tone was as fierce as his eyes.
"If we kill those dogs the Choshu will have to submit." Serizawa completely disagreed with Hijikata.
"Yeah! Those damn Choshu are out of control with all of their hitokiri!" Harada agreed, tempted to get his spear and look for a fight right now.
"That is not why we are here." Hijikata's eyes began to glint dangerously.
"I'm not sure why you are here, Hijikata." Serizawa commented idly, tapping his fan on his shoulder. "But, these little hitokiri are nothing more than pests, I would think you'd be anxious to slay them. The reason the Roshigumi had been formed was for the purpose of slaying the hitokiri, especially the one that makes it rain blood."
"We are here to keep the peace and order." Hijikata was coming close to just being hostile.
"Toshi..." Kondo whispered, eyes narrowing gently. "Try to refrain from doing anything unnecessary, we don't want to warrant the Aizu's suspicions."
"You worry too much, Kondo." Serizawa said, inclining his chin. "I don't think it'll tarnish their reputation if I go out to have a drink."
"It is what you do after..." Hijikata muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
Knowing that if he pushed the matter further Hijikata just closed his mouth and pointedly turned away from them, putting his eyes back onto his task. This was the problem with Serizawa-the man was going to the Shimabara district so much that it was getting to be questionable if he was dedicated to his country and cause, or if he was just doing all of this for amusement. Hijikata knew it was the second choice, ever since he met the man, ever since he started that fire in that one village on the way here, Serizawa was nothing but a thorn.
He could barely tolerate his presence, and if it wasn't for the fact he did so much...He would have killed the man himself had he proved to be not so useful, but despite that, Serizawa just sucked the progress out of everything he came across. He wouldn't he surprised if the man ran Shimabara into the ground, literally, between his drinking and ill temper. Next he'd start taking money from them or merchants.
With a severe sigh he slapped the finished calligraphy to his side, brows knitting together.
"Toshi, you should be more amicable with Serizawa."
"He is a problem, Kondo." Hijikata said.
"Can't we all just work together? There's no more than fifty of us." Yamanami, a studious and gentle man with a kind face, spoke up. Unlike Hijikata, his voice was smooth and eloquent. Not brusque.
Hijikata considered it. He had been considering it. But, now he knew that working with Serizawa was just impossible. The man didn't cooperate, understand, realize, or comprehend. The man only lived for booze and women. It was a disgrace and shame that he was a Samurai, but as he learned during his travels that Samurai now were just pale imitations of what they had once been. "That man is obstreperous and pugnacious. He'd quarrel with his shadow if it were possible."
Yamanami sighed softly, a wry smile crossing his face. "If you didn't meet him head on all of the time, perhaps..."
Hijikata shrugged carelessly. "Someone needs to keep him in line. The Aizu-han has taken us in, and he's still doing the same things he was doing before the Aizu-han took us in. His behavior is going to reflect poorly on us, and it's going to tarnish the name of the Aizu-han. He is going to ruin us."
"I agree with Yamanami. We should be working together, not against each other. We all want the foreigners out." Konda said, a stubborn edge coming into his voice that neither of the men missed.
"Kondo..."
He gave his friend an apologetic smile. "I understand where you are coming from. But, this isn't the way we should be doing things-don't forget why we came to Kyoto in the first place. To serve the Shogun to the best of our abilities."
Hijikata deflated, all the anger he felt slinked off, and he felt ashamed. He could never forget why Kondo wanted to come here-to serve his country, to serve the Shogun, to hold the creed of the Samurai above all else. But, Serizawa didn't have such resolve, he didn't have such goals, and it was complicating things more than necessary.
"I know, Kondo...But, Serizawa isn't thinking the same as you. He isn't concerned about serving the Shogun or patriotism. The only thing he cares about is alcohol and women. If things keep up this way..."
Serizawa was going to have to be killed, along with all of those underlings. There was no other way around the situation, unless they do something about the thorn in their side here and now, or soon, they were going to be left with only one option. Tunoichi wasn't any better, but that was a subject for another time, and that time wasn't here or now, this was about Serizawa.
"He is the one that brought us into the Aizu-han through his connections." Yamanami pointed out. "Without him we'd still just be ronin with no clan backing us."
And, Hijikata had to concede with this fact and swallow it, because none of them had been able to do a thing. That didn't give Serizawa an option to just go off and do whatever the hell he wants, when he wants. The man wasn't going to be untouchable, he wasn't going to continue indulging and being ill tempered without getting some sort of punishment. Favoritism wasn't going to be tolerated, and he'd stomp it out before it even got that far.
"We just have to work together." Kondo concluded, as if the matter was so simple, but in his mind it was so simple. They had to work together and put being together above everything else-they had to move with one mind. No single person was doing the killing, they'd all kill, and they'd all carry the burden. Nothing more and nothing less. "We have to put being together above everything else, Toshi. Yamanami."
The two men-polar opposites. Hijikata. Yamanami. One learning from experience. One learning from books. One eloquent. One brusque. One gentle. One abrasive. But, despite their differences, they could agree with Kondo's statement.
Hijikata didn't have the heart or energy to continue with this conversation that was bordering into an argument. Kondo was as stubborn as they came, and since he wanted to work together with Serizawa and Tunoichi, well he had to deal with that fact and doing everything in his power to support Kondo. He only wished his friend could concede with the fact Serizawa was going to lead them to ruin.
"I'll do everything I can to support you." Hijikata surmised, having nothing more to say.
Kondo and Yamanami traded glances before suppressing their chuckles and laughs.
Normally, Hijikata didn't agree so easily.
"What?" Hijikata questioned in his brusque way.
"Nothing. Just a little hungry." Kondo excused himself.
"Yes, I am famished myself. Yagi-dono always makes splendid food." Yamanami added.
"And, I'm the only one doing work, again." Hijikata sighed with a shake of his head, looking over the papers with writing on both sides. This was going to take a while.
"Unbelievable."
Saito stood outside the brothel. His arms crossed over his chest and a plain expression on his face. Truth be told he didn't care to go to places like this in the company of large groups of people. He never did like groups. He preferred to have arm and elbow room, so some idiot didn't smack him by accident causing him to spill his tea or sake onto his hakama, and so he didn't punch them in the face afterwards.
He smirked for a second. Busting heads never got old.
Everyone else was in the brothel enjoying themselves. Even from his place outside he could hear Harada getting louder and louder, Nagakura continuously telling him to shut up. If he had to bet-which he really didn't bet unless he knew the outcome for sure, Harada was going start showing off the scar on his stomach where he failed seppuku and go on his rant about being able to break chopsticks with his ass.
Saito just wasn't sure if Harada would actually drop his hakama and try to do right there in front of everyone. Truthfully it wouldn't surprise him even the slightest if Harada did do just that. The man had no sense, at all, and at times he found himself wondering how does Harada dress himself in the morning? All it'd take for Harada to actually try doing so was Okita opening his big mouth and saying something that is equally as stupid as what came out Harada's mouth.
The crowds weren't too thick here, and it gave him ample room to survey his surroundings. He didn't look at the sultry women or the smoke that seemed to linger around like it was fog, nor did he pay any attention to the array of pleasure houses. His eyes remained focused on anyone that seemed and felt like a warrior, or a Samurai. There were certain things that stood out-the emotionless gaze, the daisho, the smooth and controlled steps that warned if one snuck after them they'd turn and draw.
Just as he caught the sight of someone with red hair and glowing amber eyes-the smell of blood around this person almost made him lunge forward with his sword already out baring down for the young man's throat. But, just as he caught the young man's gaze, and made his intentions clear, someone bumped into him. Hard. He shifted his weight on a dime, spinning on the ball of his foot and balancing himself once more.
"Watch where you're walking!"
Judging from the man's garb he was either from the Choshu or was just another stupid ronin. He couldn't say which for sure, because he felt all the Choshu were stupid ronin, and stupid ronin wore so many different garbs here it was hard to tell just who was who at times. More often than not one had to look at the person's face or watch their mannerisms, and seeing the way the man's face was contorting with rage Saito guessed he was actually Choshu.
Only a Choshu could walk around so damn haughty.
"You bumped into me, idiot." Saito said, tone blunt.
"Apologize!"
Saito snorted.
"Damn farmer. I'll give you three seconds to apologize."
The group of men-seven in total, all drew their swords after three seconds passed.
"I'm sorry you're all so deluded and stupid." Saito smirked, his hand gliding down to the end of his hilt where he flicked it up with his thumb, exposing a tenth of his blade.
The people of Kyoto would always call him, and his brothers in arms country bumpkins, or anything similar because of how they looked, and because of the light blue haoris they'd wear. Truthfully it was the color of resolution, as for one year Samurai wore the color when committing seppuku. Quite frankly he didn't care what people thought of him-if they wanted to call him a farmer they would learn he was a lethal farmer.
Seven people wasn't enough to bloody his blade.
"What's it going to be?" Saito questioned, having enough of their nonsense, he drew his sword fully, stepping away from the entrance of the building his companions were in and situated himself in the middle of the walking path-just a couple of meters away from the drunken Choshu.
People parted room for them, and soon there was a crowd watching.
Just as he had been expected. Instead of leaving the Choshu fools decided to attack him.
The first came in with an overhead chop, aimed to cleave deep into his shoulder so the tip of the blade ripped into a part of his upper chest. With amazing speed, Saito smacked the blade away, his body a mere blur as he cleaved through the man's side. The second and third came in a second later, not giving him a moment's pause, and he swung hard to the side-blade arcing in a blue hue as it made the distance between them so insignificant.
The two fell to the ground, eyes wide in shock as the life left them. Their swords clattered noisily as their hands no longer had life in them to clench.
Saito looked at three bodies, narrowed his eyes, and turned to the four remaining men. He was good for two more moves-he'd take out two of them with each movement, ending it with a quick thrust that would see the blade back in its scabbard. Of course, the blood would be flicked off.
"Damn you!"
Saito got ready, feet already sliding into place, his waist and hips generating pounds of force that would rip a normal man in half. His sword sang, whirling like a windmill in the middle of a storm. It felled two attackers, and while he came around two finish off the other two-Serizawa's massive form barreled passed him, and like flies the larger man crushed the last two.
However, there were more Choshu close by, probably stragglers from the group and seeing their fallen comrades...
Nagakura, having already came outside-sprinting after Serizawa, could only sigh as he seen the inevitable confrontation that was about to happen between them. There weren't no more than twelve people with him, but the Choshu looked to have at least twenty, this was going to be bad. "Saito."
"He started it." Saito gestured to a fallen body.
"Looks like you finished it."
Okita looked at the body, some worry in his eyes, but he managed to smile. "Was it necessary to draw your sword though? You could have taken them easy with your bare hands."
Saito, of course had a proper response. "They drew their swords first."
"Fighting them is pointless, Serizawa-sensei." Nimi said just loud enough so Serizawa could hear him-he a short and strong built man with a slick face and narrow eyes.
"Looks like they're not backing down, though." Harada belligerently said. Since he didn't have his spear with him-he had to draw the sword on his waist. While he was skilled with the sword, he preferred the spear over the sword.
Due in part it came as naturally as breathing for him, and he remembered how those haughty guys that used to try to pick on him looked like when he beat them into the ground.
"Who the hell are you people?" One of the Choshu men asked, anger biting in his voice.
Serizawa stepped forward, arms out at his sides in a challenge to all of the Choshu present. His voice rose as he spoke, commanding and prideful, he demanded all the attention of everyone present. "I am Serizawa Kamo, loyal and patriotic Samurai. We are the Seichu Ronin group."
"I've never heard of this Seichu Ronin, but I have heard of you...What the hell are you doing with the likes of them?! You support the-"
Serizawa's eyes narrowed, and his hunched back straightened briefly. The next second his sword was gleaming in the faint light. "You small Choshu man...You're nothing but pretenders...You forced the Shogunate's hand and slighted him. You've slighted the Aizu-han. You run around screaming that you praise the Emperor, but you're only using him to get power."
He jabbed the edge of his steel fan into the man's chest with every word-right at his heart. "The difference is that the Mito Tengu have always been loyal to the Emperor. You Choshu are a bunch of glib fools. You need to use those hitokiri because none of you have the nerve to fight the Shogunate alone."
"How dare you!"
It all happened so fast, but the Choshu man which Serizawa had insulted-had moved in for an attack, but with ease Serizawa slew through him, cutting across the man's stomach, not even breaking his transition as he directed his blade at the rest of them. A smirk pulled on his face, his steps powerful and precise. He advanced on the Choshu men, who remained doggedly in place.
"Serizawa-san, wait-" Nagakura started, going to grip the man's shoulder but had to grip the hilt of his sword.
"Come at me!" Serizawa roared.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
The people that had grouped up screamed, running away.
Chaos.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Okita didn't hesitate to cut down a man that tried to jab him in the eye, but he could feel himself cringing on the inside as he brought his blade down clear across his next attacker's chest. He had to back step quickly, deflecting what would have been a cut to his knee-ramming his palm against his attacker's nose-cartilage crunched and blood came gushing out.
This was supposed to be a good time out, with everyone together and enjoying themselves, but now it turned into a battle with the Choshu...Not one of the hitokiri, which was unfortunate. And, even worse he could already hear Hijikata's tone rising so much that they'd hear him all the way in Edo because of this incident.
He feared to see the disappointment in Kondo's eyes.
Tunoichi really had no further goals when he joined the Roshigumi. There was no dream of serving his country. No dram of doing his best for the Shogun or Emperor. He didn't even care about the expelling of foreigners.
It was for the money, pure and simple, and he basically drifted with the waves that were rocking Japan back and forth incessantly. Sasaki had tasked him to basically keep Kondo and Serizawa on a leash-the man referred to them as wild wolves and there was no telling what they'd do now that they were here alone in Kyoto, sponsored by the Aizu clan on top of it.
He accepted the task because it would have been extremely foolish to refuse Sasaki in the first place, and the second reason was because Sasaki was basically saying that he needed to insert himself as the leader, and if need be kill both Kondo and Serizawa so that things could proceed without a hitch. Though, it was turning out to be a lot harder than he had anticipated when he first accepted the task-Serizawa was a very violet man, someone he didn't want to be around, and then there was Kondo who was too damn stubborn.
Between the two of them he had his hands tied, but counting the people that came with them, no matter how few...It became a severe problem. He had his own group of people, and there were people that stayed behind with them when Kiyokawa's treacherous plan had been revealed. Some time has passed since then, and things were staying in a downward spiral-the only bright spot was that they were now employed by the Aizu clan.
Serizawa was about to ruin that...
Kondo would ruin it, eventually.
The only viable solution was to kill both groups, and their leaders.
To do that he needed to recruit, but they'd have to reach a mutual agreement on that. It'd look bad on his part if he just did it.
He shook his head, dragging a hand down his face as he sighed his frustrations out. This wasn't even about the task Sasaki had assigned him, this was about him taking the helm of this fractured group.
His dark eyes darted for his door, remaining slightly wide. "Come in."
Yamanami slid the door open, slowly stepping in a sliding it shut before resting on his knees. "You didn't go with Serizawa?"
"That man is trouble." Tunoichi replied, voice stiff.
Yamanami considered his response for a few seconds before speaking again. "Are you referring to that one incident?"
"Which one?" Tunocihi snorted in derision, looking at Yamanami carefully for a fleeting second. "On our way here...Serizawa and Sasaki almost got hostile, Serizawa refused to listen to him, proclaiming that only the Shogunate can give him orders. It took Sasaki saying that the Shogunate put him in charge for Serizawa to finally concede."
"He is ill tempered." Yamanami agreed.
Tunoichi sighed, pulling out a piece of paper to begin writing his report. He couldn't have Yamanami in here while he was in the process of doing such a thing, he'd hate to see the reaction Kondo or Serizawa would have. Not that mattered in the long run, anyways. "What do you want Yamanami?"
"What is your opinion of the Mibu Ronin group?"
Tunoichi raised an eyebrow, truly puzzled. "I thought it was the Seichu Ronin group?"
Yamanami smiled easily enough, though it seemed to be a little strained. He bowed his head the slightest. "Yes, excuse me. What is your opinion of the Seichu Ronin group?"
Tunoichi considered his answer, not completely trusting Yamanami. "This group can either pave the way to peace and order, or pave the way to chaos and ruin. It all depends."
"On who leads?"
Tunoichi's lips pulled up. "That has something to do with it, but also numbers."
Yamanami nodded, realizing what he was getting at.
"What does Kondo have to say about all of this?"
"He wants us to work together."
"Is that all?"
"Yes." Yamanami said, slowly excusing himself.
Tunoichi remained silent as he carefully laid the paper on the small wooden desk off to the side. This report would be rather lengthy, as it seemed Yamanami and Hijikata were starting to make their moves.