Chapter 21- Traitor Part 1.
Bansai opened up the paper spread. He eyed the lyrics he and Otsuu had carefully written together. The single had been a major success. It was this very success he wished for her to surpass.
It had been four months since his battle with Gintoki. He spent this time doing more than recuperating from his wounds. That itself hadn't taken more than a week thanks to high class treatment. His vacation was the perfect alibi. He had donated this time to Shinsuke's cause.
For some reason, Bansai found himself now returning to his office. His desk was piled with paperwork awaiting his approval. He sat down in his chair. Kawakami saw the get-well cards taped to his monitor. Bansai pulled off the one that had gathered his interest. It was from Tsuu Terakado- the pop star known as Otsuu. She was his favorite singer. She had a spirit like no one else. She inspired him to write her songs of the unorthodox.
He opened the card to read, "Get well soon Tsunpo! From Otsuu- monkey scat. P.S. I don't know your address so you'll probably get this when you are all better. Nyah! - Mad cow disease."
It was just like Otsuu. Her rhythm was unique and alluring- just like Shinsuke's. The only difference is Bansai had chosen Shinsuke. Otsuu was doomed to die along with all of Edo.
It wasn't as if Bansai hated Edo or its citizens. It was by their rhythm he could understand their personalities. His sole reason for following Shinsuke was the man's rhythm. Shinsuke's song promised to end all others in its wake. Bansai was curious to see where this tune would take him. It gave him a sadistic understanding of music. It had re-launched his career. Shortly afterward, he had met the unemployed Otsuu.
Ever since, his view on the world had changed. Unlike for Matako, Edo was becoming more and more precious to him. He saw the careers of his pupils taking off. He realized how many new tunes he had never noticed. Bansai had become more and more attached to Otsuu. He now wished he could spare her from the catastrophe about to befall Edo.
Otsuu's card fell onto his desk. Bansai's hands were trembling.
If I do this, I'll be a monster. Up until now, I've killed only what was required. I spared those whose music I'd fallen in love with and never touched innocents. There's no way around it now. I failed him once, I can't again.
If I follow through with you Shinsuke, the world around us will become silent. And I will be the one to land the deathblow.
The Central Terminal. The center of commerce between all joint-military, off-world merchants, and citizens. The heart of Edo.
Takasugi had set his sights on the spire since the beginning. He now had the required ingredient to bring about its destruction. In doing so, all trade in Edo would cease. The city would fall.
The Harusame could no longer leech on the Bakufu with the terminal gone. They may choose to attack Shinsuke out of anger. Takasugi and his Kiheitai would simply flee to the depths of the underworld. Or perhaps the pirate factions would accept the situation. Their own black-market merchants would take charge over the city.
But Shinsuke's vengeance would surpass just the Bakufu. The citizens were not exempt from it. Neither was any of Japan. The Harusame would be none too pleased to lose such their source of income. If worse came to worse, they would eventually do battle. The Kiheitai would face the dreaded Yato and the endless factions. Shinsuke preferred to wait in the shadows until Japan was a smoking crater. The Kiheitai would emerge alive on the other side. Whether or not the Harusame had moved on or established their rivalry remained to be seen. Takasugi would simply increase his advantage until that time.
Shinsuke reached for a towel. He wiped off the hot moisture sticking to his face with a towel. His other arm reached for his clothes. He put on the gold kimono stitched with a red dragon dancing across it. His feet slipped into their appropriate sock. Next, they scooted forward into his sandals. Shinsuke placed both his katana and his pipe into the belt of his kimono. The last detail was to carefully wrap fresh bandages over his scarred eye. All had been taken care of so he quietly exited his quarters.
Matako sat in boredom at the dining table. Takechi was rambling on about a child-protection act. The bill had apparently been declined before, but was being reconsidered. His voice slowly became more irritating and this rant of his wasn't showing any sign of ending.
At last, she said, "Oh my god Senpai, shut up!"
"Wait, let me just sum up this last section."
She groaned and rested her head on her hand. Her blank eyes returned to life when she heard Shinsuke's door open.
Takechi said, "I'll see that the car is warmed up for you."
Takasugi watched as his back vanished around the corner. The old man was shaking his head the entire time. Shinsuke's eye caught a hold of Kijima. She was ogling his loose garb. His bare chest was still glistening from his bath. It wasn't hard to guess that she was imagining his appearance a few minutes earlier.
Shinsuke walked up to her side. He smiled mischievously.
"Shall we?" he asked.
"Yes" Matako said with a similar grin. She watched him as he slowly walked on ahead of her. Her gaze became softer. She smiled once again and then scurried happily after him.
Edo's lower-class streets were empty today. Takasugi's black car rolled on through unhindered. It would be less than twenty minutes before they reached their destination. Their client was located near the Kabuki district.
"Kijima, do you know what the weapon we're buying is?"
"No."
She added, "I assumed it was some sort of bomb."
"No. An explosive would never pass through customs. With the way security is tightening up, we need something far more creative. I think what our client is offering is perfect. The Decadence is an artificial corroder."
"I'm not sure I get it."
"It devours metal at a substantial rate and replicates itself. If something like this were to be planted through the foundations of the Central Terminal, it would collapse. The entire process would be complete in hours. That's what we'll be bidding on."
Shinsuke continued. "The corrosion will terminate itself in seven days time. The government is unaware such a substance exists. The Central Terminal's destruction will cause discord enough. Fear will continue to fill peoples' hearts as the corrosion spreads. Unfortunately, this one canister is the only prototype. It can't be used on a grand scale until it's reproduced in sufficient quantities. Until then, we'll hold out."
Shinsuke's ride now pulled up to the destination. It was a tattered and well-rusted warehouse- the all-to typical place for illegal transactions. Shinsuke and Matako exited from their opposing doors. Takasugi's eyes drifted around the street.
"Bansai-senpai's not here yet? I wonder why?" asked Kijima.
Takasugi's mouth had changed to a grave frown. He proceeded to continue on. They both could hear raised voices start from inside the complex.
They entered from one of the raised garage doors. Men were scrambling back and forth. Most of them were wearing hazmat suits and holding some sort of gun feeding off a tank on their backs.
One of the suited men finally saw Shinsuke. He pulled off his helmet and approached him. He explained, "Sorry Shinsuke-dono, the deals off. Someone broke into here earlier and wrecked the Decadence canister. We're trying to secure the stuff now before it causes a situation."
Shinsuke calmly asked, "Any idea who was the culprit?"
The man said, "I've never seen him before. Tall guy. He had spiky hair, wore a blue coat, and shades. The guy just walks in here, beats up everyone who tries to stop him, and cuts open the canister with his sword. He didn't say a word. Anyway, ever seen him?"
"I'm afraid not. Since clearly our exchange has been foiled, I'll be off."
"Guess your right. We'll hopefully have another one in six months. The damn manufacturer is being difficult. Either way, we hope to do business with you again. Good day Shinsuke-dono."
Matako was speechless. Shinsuke nonchalantly returned to the vehicle. Once Matako was again with him, they began the drive back to base.
Shinsuke gave no words of wisdom to calm the storm of questions in Matako's head.
She thought, "There's no way, no way he would ever betray us."
"Take us", said Shinsuke, "to the southern bridge outside of headquarters."
"Right away Shinsuke-sama" said the driver.
Matako quickly asked, "We're not returning to base?"
"The Kiheitai may have been compromised. It isn't safe to return there until I'm sure."
The drive to their new destination felt grating and prolonged to Kijima. Shinsuke himself was beginning to look impatient. Several times, his hand reached for his katana. Luckily, the third time his fingers stroked it, the car came to a halt. Takasugi unbuckled and hastily exited. He walked across the bridge. Matako kept close to him.
The wind from this height began to stir through their hair. Takasugi held back his bangs as he leaned over the edge to get a better view. Matako's eyes rested upon the base. She could see figures bustling all around it. In the front of the entrance was a blockade of cars.
"Sh-Shinsengumi!" she said.
Takasugi clenched his teeth and hissed. Every part of his body had begun to tremble.
He asked, "What have you done Bansai?"
Author's Note: Oh...um... yes... twist in story. Please do not hate me.