Keisatsukan Kenshin: Heisei no kenkaku no Romantan
Act1: Beginning
Early afternoon, on Kyoto's outskirt a traveler bathed in the sunlight as he made his way to the festival, passing through the woods .
A youthful red hair man , perhaps in his early 20, wearing a navy ragged coat, muddy beige pants and an old grey cap.
To say he was an homeless was certainly too much, however by his look no doubt that he was not rich either.
In other words, someone not that memorable, aside from his hair's color. But something caught the attention of the young Kunoichi perched up in a tree.
He was carrying a convenience tube for drawing along with what look like a cloth bundle for his luggage. By the noise she could say that the content of that tube was not paper but something solid and heavy.
The more she thought about it the, more the guy was suspicious ... definitely suspicious, thought the girl as she made up her mind and choose to spy on him for now.
As he reach the festival ground he discretely walked faster so as to not disturb the performance being played, evading everyone on his path to what seems to be the meatball skewer vendor.
It didn't took long for his order to be done and with a single brochette he resume his travel. Though where he intend to go with his strange package remains a mystery and only him knew the answer.
xxxxxx
Kyoto police HQ, meeting room
Katsura and the superintendents were all gathered discussing the matter of the sword officers.
"With this we have every members listed down", except for one thought a worried chief superintendent.
It has been a week since the press conference and he wasn't here yet.
Katsura couldn't help it if the Battousai had to help the people he cross path with, but for that guy to inform of him coming and still take his goddamn time without telling exactly when he would do so.
How could he still keep the wanderer act at time like this ? Katsura didn't know what happened during the year he hadn't kept in touch, but he was sure it was that woman's influence fault.
The hell with the legendary swordman, he practically made an appointment and not only did he not say when,but neither where or how he will show up?
His entrance better be soon and grandiose considering the risk I took with the whole matter !
If the Chief superintendent was frustrated, he didn't not let it show on his face, however that did not prevent the intense gazes fixed on him.
They definitely want to know about us; was Katsura inner though.
After a minute of silence and staring that felt like eternity, superintendent Okita Souji finally ask on everyone's behalf.
"Ano~... Katsura keishi-cho … Well, How should I put it … we don't mean to actually pry into your privacy, but we believe that there is one information that we must know", Okita gulped realizing he may have been too familiar "ahh-! But you don't need to force yourself !"; earnestly said the younger man praying he would not suffer from a pay cut.
Sighing, Katsura eventually spoke the so awaited words "Though I would rather wait for him to be here, I guess I can't keep silent anymore"; He paused to take a sip from his water bottle "I met him two year ago while visiting Takasugi Shinsaku the chief superintendent of Yamaguchi".
A desert rural highway of Yamaguchi, except for one lonely sedan and its two passenger, as they drove on the asphalt. The sight of fields reaching to the horizon, where they met with the setting sun made a beautiful landscape postcard, however Katsura Kogoro seating in the front passenger seat looked unfazed.
"I came all the way from Kyoto and you don't even offer me refreshment" said an tired Kyoto's commissioner after an exhausting trip, not looking in the driver direction.
"Oh~Come on Kogoro, forget about your tea and rice cracker"; answered Takasugi "I'm gonna show you the arrest of a whole yakuza gang and a big one at that".
Katsura finally deign to look at his best friend's face "If that's what you wanted me to witness you could have just show me the recording".
"EH~ but I also want to introduce you to the Kiheitai", the mention of Yamaguchi police special unit didn't seem to motivate Takasugi's guest. Honestly, it felt like this unnerved him more than anything.
"Once again we could have done that tomorrow. do you know when was the last time Ikumatsu and I got a vacation. I swear next time we will go visit Okubo" told a slightly annoyed husband .
His friend's threat seems to work as Takasugi tried to redeem himself "Fine I'll take you and your koishi~ to a nice restaurant tonig-!" The car suddenly lost his balance and started going out of track toward the woad along the road.
Takasugi tried to regain control but end up ramming the car in a tree. Although the shock was cushioned by the airbag the two friends had a hard time getting out and standing up.
Wondering the cause of the accident Katsura notice a flat tire.
At that exact moment ten men armed with machine guns appeared, pointing their weapon at them. Now Katsura had no doubt about them being responsible for the crash as the one who seems to be in charge spoke "Takasugi Shinsaku! For defying our leader and for our gang's sake we will have you dye today !"
The police officers were surrounded with no way to escape or fight back. Understanding their fate Takasugi apologized to his friend for involving him and he retort that it was alright.
I'm sorry Ikumatsu, looks like I won't go home with you, thought a resigned Kogoro.
Ready to meet their end, the two stood strong for what felt like an eternity, awaiting the bullets…But they never came .
A man scream could be heard, looking at the source was one of the yakuza lying on the ground.
One of his panicked colleague approach to check on him and realizing he was knock out, he screamed "WHO IS THERE ?!"and the only thing his action earned him was a katana in the face.
As the second yakuza fall, the others aimed where their aggressor was supposed to be, but saw nothing.
The third assassin turned back as he noticed too late his comrade thrown on a tree and a flash of red before losing consciousness as he eat the dirt.
Whoever attacked those goons soon rush toward the fifth, sixth and seventh and took them out at the same time with circular blow.
"KISAMA!" screamed one of the remaining fools as he ran forward shooting in the the now visible silhouette. Unfortunately the swordman easily deflected the bullet and grabbed him, then lifted the human projectile to throw him at the guy behind aiming at his back.
Taken by fear the last yakuza shoot only to not avail, as his opponent dodged and suddenly jumped on tree.
The next move happened so fast that Katsura and Takasugi nearly missed it.
With thunderous speed he placed a downward slash on his prey head as he descends from the sky.
(This sight would be carved in my memory for all my life recalled without a doubt Katsura)
He remained there, in the stance he defeat his enemy with, for several second before standing up.
He sheathed his sword in the traditional and stylish way. As he removed his hood, revealing his auburn hair, the two men were even more surprise since realization had hit them.
*A red hair samurai with god like speed... It's him the rumored ... Battousai!* though Katsura and Takasugi in unison.
He turned to face them and said "Don't worry they're not dead … Although they must think so" in cold but reassuring voice.
"After having cleaned up the scene, we offered him sheltered as he admit having nowhere to stay.
He was reluctant at first as he feared he would indulge himself too much in our hospitality rather than he not trusting us. That's how we got to personally know the Battousai" , told Katsura to his men and soon resumed "at some point we offered him a post in the police but he decline saying he refused his sword to be misused". Most likely Battousai told the same thing to their Hiroshima colleague when they arrested him. "I deeply respected his will and did not pressed the matter further…." He paused for a moment then complete his sentence "But I still asked him if the time of a Japan in turmoil were to come, to not lend us his sword, but rather accept the help and protection of the law that benefit a policeman. He really took the offer into consideration as his response was I'll mail you thenbefore he kept in touch for a year but he stop contacting me ... until recently".
As the chief superintendent end his tale, he looked up and was greeted by his men astonish face. They clearly were in disbelief.
Not only was their superior saved by the Battousai but he also befriended and convinced him to join the police. If some didn't thought highly of Katsura up till today, they now were.
Katsura knew that there was better things to do than boasting, but he won't say that the feeling was unpleasant, and it's not like anyone suffered for this once.
He did not tell them everything about his meeting Battousai and was glad he did not because this leave more entertainment for later.
Katsura Kogoro was now even more eager to see the priceless expression after the swordman entrance. Although they looked like they wanted to hear more, none could speak a word since they were left speechless.
"Well let's wrap up this meeting" said the Chief superintendent as he stood up ready to leave the room filled with the still motionless officer.
xxxxxx
The traveler kept a steady pace and whoever was following him wasn't anymore. He hadn't finished his brochette as he pass in front of a large notice board and abruptly stop to read a certain message.
"Look out for any suspicious individual wielding a sword, if you do please report it to the nearest police substation. There is a high chance it was the Ide's slaughterer …" his violet eyes darkened as he read out loud the notice and he tightened his grip on his tube's strap.
"Eh! You with the convenience tube!" at the sound of a female voice, he turned around only to meet a bokken pointed at his face causing him to blurted out "Oro?".
Raising his hands up, he looked at the wooden sword's owner: a black haired teenager wearing a ponytail , along with a white training Gi and a blue hakama, spoke to him "I'm police trainee"she hold her badge in front of his eye and put it back where it originally was.
" My informant told me about a suspicious red hair man, now! No need to deny it!"exclaimed the trainee as she swing her bokken vertically to hit nothing but air.
He had easily dodge and now was trying to calm the younger girl "please calm down a second-" but was interrupt by another swing, a horizontal one this time "Don't dodge" said a frustrated sword woman, as she only managed to remove the traveler's cap.
"Why? So that you can whack this poor rurouni",said the red hair fellow who could not bear with his aggressor "Exactly, you self proclaimed wanderer! You're the Ide's Satsujinki, aren't you !"
Shocked by her accusation he answered back" No! Where did you get this idea"and a stab came next.
"Is that so, then show me your belonging!" ordered the vigorous tomboy, charging for another blow that once again did not connect. However it caused one troubled man and his aggressor to lose their balance and fall on their behind. His belonging were thrown on the ground near the two fallen young people.
The first to got up was the accused guy who made the smartest decision to clear up the misunderstanding. He reach toward his tube whose lid was opened and took out its content
A katana ! noticed the police trainee as she took a defensive stance.
Not surprise by her reaction, he unsheath his sword in a non hostile way "This katana is not your average sword. See? This is a Sakabatou".
The girl approached still on her guard but relaxed as she got a closer look "The blade is on the blunt edge… A sword that cannot kill" she said as all her hostility evaporate into thin air, now replace by embarrassment.
The now innocent man smile, sheathing his sword and put it back in the tube, since the scene was over. While he tried to wipe the dirt on his pant, he realized that she was handing him a cute handkerchief.
He did not hold back his smile as he told her " this not necessary" but accept it anyway and ask her about the notice " I heard about the incident of Ide, truly inhuman, but why are you deliberately chasing after him? What can an hopeless sword girl like you do against this mad man ?"
Her head held low, she answered "This was not revealed to the public, but each time a corpse is found a note was left saying that it was the Satsujinki work which claimed to be from the Kamiya kasshin dojo of my Father."frustration start appearing in her voice "Obviously, this is a lie. I can't let that monster sully my father's style and his ideal, although I don't expect a traveler to understand".
Not wishing for an answer, she left without another word, without glancing back and soon she was out of the man sight. Feeling a bit sorry for the earnest youngster, he eventually notice that she left without her handkerchief.
xxxxxx
Still in the traditional area of Kyoto near the festival ground, the sword girl was now accompanied.
"Mo~! You assured me that was him Misao" complained the police trainee. Walking beside her was a short girl who should have just turned 16, and she did not agree with her friend "What are you talking about Kaoru? I only said he was suspicious, not that he's the Satsujinki" she sound a bit vexed by the kendo girl behavior "And look I was right ,wasn't I. He hide a sword !".
"Yeah! But you're not the one who ridiculed yourself ... in front of him" said an almost sobbing Kaoru, but her facial expression was soon back to normal.
"Are? Don't tell me!?"wondered the female ninja as she took notice of her best friend's slip up.
The older girl had quickly disagree"No it's nothing like that. It's just that even though I was rude to him he didn't get angry."
Rather he smiled at me, such nice guy. said Kaoru under her breath.
As a faint blush appeared on her cheeks, She admitted"Though rather blunt, he show worry about a young girl chasing the Satsujinki."
At her friend's confession, Misao reacted like an hyperactive squirrel "Really? My god! You know, because of his cap I didn't take a good look! Tell me how was he?!"she started jumping up and down.
Kaoru was bit troubled by Misao reaction, she could be hard to deal with at time.
"Well... he was quite handsome. You should have seen his violet eye, his red hair, and his small nose"answered the Kunoichi's best friend "I think he could have been a gravure Idol".
"Maa maa~ It sound to me like that rurouni made quite the impression" it sound more like the ninja excitement couldn't increase further (What an awful misjudgment),as she keep insinuating things to Kaoru.
Still not convinced, the aspiring sword woman retorted "Stop spitting nonsense, it's just that Kyoto don't have a lot of pretty boy, who are that mature…", this comment earns her a mischievous grin from Misao which didn't believe her friend.
Seeing that her previous statement didn't bring the intended effect, the police trainee tried once again to make her point " Anyway, I snapped at him at him in the- …!"but she never got to finish her sentence. Following her gaze, Misao eventually looked up and also noticed.
On the bridge overhanging their road, a police officer covered with blood, staggered to his feet and swaying a little. He approached the guardrail and fell over.
Before any of the teenagers could recover from the shock, another man his appearance. He was clad in black and his eye the same color, were covered by a japanese straw hat.
He sat down on the guardrail where the officer fell, and took out a cloth to clean his bloody katana.
Kaoru tensed up holding her bokken with both hand, and she glared at him.
"Misao go, and bring the police back"
Five minute earlier in a nearby police station, screams resound and blood was sprayed.
The officers only armed with revolver and police's baton, all gathered to arrest one intruder:
the satsujinki.
With ease he advanced forward,
With ease killed, sliced, stab those that tried to stop him,
With his dark eyes, he render those lamb rigid.
"This, is not sorcery" he simply stated as he slowly approach one frozen officer.
"Nikaido Heisho, Shin no Ippo"he named his jutsu as he take a step.
"Human are fragile being … When their fear intensify they are unable to move" Just one step to go.
"Does it hurts"he asked the poor policeman, taking pleasure in the suffering and the blood of his victims.
He finally reach his immovable target. He grabbed him by the collar and put his sword on the petrified man's neck, "People with a weak heart are easily controlled." as he finish his sentence, the Satsujinki slice his throat ending the fool suffering.
The smiling murderer didn't take a break as he kept killing every officers on his path till none were left.
Misao now gone, nothing stood between the Mad man and Kaoru.
"You're the Satsujinki" asked the girl. He stared at her but didn't respond.
"Why do you do this?" Still not answered, she resumed "The Kamiya kasshin Ryu was defiled"and once again her question was left unanswered, but this time he looked more concerned by his sword than her.
Nonetheless the police trainee spoke"Because of people like you my father's reputation …",the man look at her.
"My father's Kamiya Kasshin Ryu…"he suddenly stood up causing the teenage girl to gasp.
He jumped, landing in front of her and ask "What happened to your father", his voice gave her shiver as she step back. The moment she falter means her loss, thus she gathered her courage and answered back "He is a senior police officer, he doesn't admit the use of the sword to kill or to be killed".
He took a step forward , she took one but backward.
Kaoru could not stand the silence and since he was not eager to keep the conversation alive, she decided to end this "People who abuse the sword, people like you!", She swung down the bokken, although he sidestepped her. The sword girl feign the same move and actually goes for an horizontal strike on the hips.
This time he didn't make the effort to dodge, since he blocked the sword with one hand.
The Satsujinki finally talked "A woman armed with nothing but a wooden sword intend to face me?"sounding amused by the idea. Kaoru, irritated told him to shut up but only receive her bokken in her face and he kicked her in the legs.
The girl let go of her weapon and fall to the ground, but kept glaring at him.
"What can you do with that stick?" He asked her in a contemptuous way, while he threw the object away. Kaoru quickly tried to get her weapon back, however the murderer slashed her upper arm. This resulted in her letting out small cry of pain and heavy breathing.
While pointing his sword at her lying on the road, he resumed his lecture "What does a saber do in bloodpool to survive?..." he raised his katana ready to execute the girl, 'You'll learn the answer in the afterlife".
Fortunately, before he could do so a figure running on the small bridge, jumped down. It caught Kaoru as it rolled away from the imminent threat.
"You forgot this" said a smiling rurouni as he hand her back the handkerchief.
Their face were millimeter away, and if Kaoru was in a different situation and unharmed she would have most certainly be red like the traveler's hair. Voiceless and in disbelief she accept the piece cloth.
She almost forgot the Satsujinki until he spoke "Who are you", the young man attention was caught by the one standing behind.
"Just a traveler" he answered as he stood up and faced his interlocutor. The rurouni though it was his turn to question the older man "You're the Satsujinki?".
His gaze darkened as his eyes lay on the serial killer.
The mad man didn't answer, though it was obvious that he indeed is. Instead he started to meticulously inspect the young fellow "Those flaming red hair… Those reflexes … This agility …"
He began to smile, he had the biggest smile one could possibly see him wear as he said "You are the legendary …", but left his sentence unfinished.
The satsujinsha wanted to confirmed his theory first and used his Shin no Ippo on the red hair guy…
It didn't work … The rurouni didn't even blink.
Yappari, he is the real deal, though the straw hat wearing man and he felt his blood boiled in excitement.
Suddenly , whistle's sounds could be heard not far.
They turned to see Misao running to them followed by a group of policemen.
The young man took the opportunity and threw his finished skewer, which pierced the man slayer in the shoulder.
"Why don't you back off for today and at the same time take a week rest from slaying people." proposed the self proclaimed traveler before running with the two girl.
Still grinning the Satsujinki answered even if the young man already left "Fine, I'll take you up on your offer."
And he also flee from the scene.
Thus, this conclude the first act of the Heisei swordman's romantic tale.
Author's note: I'm so exhausted, I can't write anymore and my eyes hurt ...(-_-').
Who am I kidding !nobody but me chose to do a 9 page chapter.
Complaint aside , this chapter is based on the 1st live action movie with my horrible grammar for the latest part.
Where was I again , I intend to introduce new character quickly so as to have the kenshingumi more or less completed in maybe 6 chapter depending on the length ( if you can bear with me until then).
So Tomoe not here yet but maybe soon (Tomoe hater are warned :) )
Ah yes , almost forgot, in the next shorter chapter will be featured the modern side of Kyoto. I can't believe this unworthy one as been going a modern AU without modernity.
If you have any questions/complaints please let me know( : I would rather hear critics than nothing ) I'll answered in the next chapter note.