Hello readers! So in this chapter we watch Shishio find out some things he didn't know and begin to plan, but plan what exactly? Read on to find out! Standard disclaimer applies.

Mia21


That evening, after a very successful show in which Makoto Shishio was able to study the citizens of Oyama and conclude that they would be easy marks to steal from, he was having dinner at the local tavern. As he was still dressed as the famous Tsuyoi, the tavern keeper insisted that dinner was free. Considering he was endeavoring to steal whatever valuables he could, Makoto shrugged and told him, "Suit yourself then."

Having a seat at a corner table, Makoto was soon joined by the town mayor and a couple of the town elders. "How can I help you?" Makoto asked.

"While we were all very happy to watch your show this afternoon, we thought you were coming for a different reason." The town mayor, Hiroshi Matsumoto, told him.

"And what reason would that be?" Makoto wondered.

"As you are an enchanter, we hoped you were coming to get rid of our werewolf problem." Hiroshi said.

"Werewolf problem?" Makoto inquired, eyes sparking with interest.

"Yes. We have had a werewolf haunting the forest and our town for four years now." Hiroshi explained.

"The wolf lives right here, among you. You know that don't you?" Makoto asked.

Hiroshi nodded. "Yes, we are aware. But no one here in town seems suspicious and we've tried hunting the beast, to no avail."

"I will help you in this, then. If you can bring me a list of everyone who lives in town and what they do, I will tell you who the werewolf is."

"You can do that?" One of the elders asked.

"Of course. I am Tsuyoi, aren't I?" Makoto scoffed.

"You will have the list tomorrow, and thank you." Hiroshi said, standing and exiting with his followers. After they had left, Makoto leaned back in his chair, rubbing his jaw.

'So Kenshin, you ran to Oyama and Aokigahara after I cursed you, did you? But I won't help those fools find you, I have something else entirely planned for you.'


The next day, Makoto met with Hiroshi and one other man who was on the town counsel, Akio Nomura. He was presented with the list that he had asked for and, after studying it for several minutes, picked out another hunter, a man by the name of Roukan Ishida.

"Are you sure?" Hiroshi asked.

"Yes. As a hunter, he spends most of his time in the forest where he is free to change forms anytime. Besides, his name tells what he is." Makoto smiled, thinking how perfect it was that the name Roukan meant wolf counsel. 'Sorry,' he thought, 'but I need the actual werewolf alive.'

After Hiroshi and Akio took their leave, Makoto studied the crowds in the tavern. After an hours' worth of watching the taverns' customers, Makoto finally found what he was looking for, a little old man who didn't bother hiding his cash when he paid for a drink. As he exited, he made sure to 'accidently' crash into the old man.

"Oh my goodness, I am so sorry. Tsuyoi is not nearly careful enough sometimes!" He said, helping the old man to his feet.

"Tsuyoi you say? You're the enchanter!" The old man squealed.

"Yes, I am. And you are?"

"My name is Jujiro Matsuda. Pleased to make your acquaintance." The old man said, shaking his hand. Smiling, Makoto quickly excused himself, happy to have tricked the old bugger into saying his name. Name in hand, Makoto made his way to a small house set nearly in the forest, so close was it to the trees. He stood in the shadows of the trees and the next house, watching. After just over an hour, he saw what he wanted, Kenshin Himura walking up the front stairs and onto the porch before slipping a key into the front door's lock.

Breathing deeply, Makoto drew up his power, looking within himself for the connection he was sure he still carried to the creature he had created. Finding the link to the werewolf and holding tight to it, Makoto waved his fingers in the air, very quietly ordering Kenshin to attack and kill Jujiro Matsuda, using the wolf to scare him a bit first, then steal his money and bring it to Makoto's wagon.

He stayed hidden for another hour before Kenshin slid out of his house, almost silently, and disappeared into the shadows of the town. Knowing his work wasn't quite completed yet, Makoto made sure to stop back by the tavern, letting himself be witnessed playing and winning a few games of Shogi, then buying a round for the entire place. Satisfied that he now had an alibi for Jujiro's death, Makoto bid everyone goodnight in the wee hours of the morning and headed back to his wagon, slowly walking down the empty streets. He had almost reached his wagon when Kenshin slid out of the shadows cast by the wagon next to his and handed him a large wad of yen.

"He's dead?" Makoto asked.

"Yes." Kenshin answered, nodding his head once.

"And did anyone see you?"

"No." Kenshin said quietly, before turning away to head home.

Makoto had a hard time keeping the grin off his face that night, especially when he tucked the yen into a hidden compartment underneath a few of the front floorboards.


Ok, so what did you all think? Please review! And again I will say that I'm using their first names, not their last, so Makoto it is. Questions, comments?

Mia21