"So these are the representatives of the Oni clans from the west," Saigo Takamori, leader of the Satsuma-han said when the three Oni warriors were being presented to him and several other men with the same political inclinations as he did. He was a stern man of great charisma and power, no doubt, and as he looked towards the three Oni, he could not help but realize that these individuals could have the power to tear down any enemy, and perhaps, even their own ranks if they wanted to.
"They are indeed impressive," said a man with turquoise hair and eyes, dressed in yellow gi and a purplish haori. His long hair was flowing, elegantly obscuring half of his handsome face, bringing a greater air of mystery about him. This man was Katsura Kogoro, leader of the Choushu-han, a man whose beauty outshone his many talents.
"We are not here to answer your every beck and call," one of the Oni growled. Gold of hair and ruby of eye, he had a commanding presence not found in the other two. "The Kazama and Amagiri clans are hereditary allies to the Shimazu clan, while the Shiranui clan is tied to that of the Choushu-han. We are here only because we must be here, to repay what protection your human masters have granted us since their defeat in the Battle of Sekigahara."
Saigo frowned. This Oni had a haughty tone about him, and no doubt, he would be the one his superiors had warned him about, Kazama Chikage, head of the Kazama clan. The Kazama clan were said to be one of the most powerful of the Oni clans, and were actually heads of the Oni living in the western parts of Japan. There was no doubt that Kazama would make a powerful ally, and an even fearsome enemy. "You will be given your duties in this war, suited to your… abilities," he told Kazama, but making eye contact with the other two as well.
"Just give us our jobs and we'll do them all," the third Oni replied. A man with greyish-violet hair and eyes the color of lilac, he was one of the few warriors ever to arm himself with only a pistol. "It's not like we've chosen to be here anyways."
The second Oni, a tall, hulking specimen with red hair and blue eyes bowed to the both of them. "Forgive the demeanor of my companions, but I agree with them," he said to Saigo and Katsura. "We are here because our families owe your lords a debt, and we expect to repay them as soon as possible."
"That would depend on the success of our ventures," Saigo stressed. Already the Satsuma-han had acted as if they were close allies to the Bakufu, giving support to the Shogun only in name. There were many things that happened within one of the domains furthest away from Edo, furthest away from the control of the Shogun and his agents, and this secret meeting with Katsura Kogoro as well as the Oni was only part of them.
Katsura turned his attentions to the third Oni. "You are Shiranui Kyo, are you not?" he asked, receiving a curt nod in answer. "My colleague, Takasugi Shinsaku, speaks highly of you."
Shiranui sighed. "He's an idiot," he replied. Thinking that he could change the world, Takasugi set up the Kiheitai, a militia manned by not only sons of samurai clans, but also able men from various classes and occupations to back up the soldiers of the Choushu-han. If not for Takasugi and his lofty ideals for bringing a greater future to their nation, bundled with protection of the Choushu-han onto his family, Shiranui would not be there fighting for a cause he did not believe in. "You humans think that you can change the world with the sword… what you'll get is only more violence and bloodshed."
"We do what we must to carve a new age," Katsura explained, only to be cut short by Kazama's deep, cynical harrumph.
"Spare us the theatrics, Katsura Kogoro," he interrupted. "You humans care for nothing but money and power."
Katsura let out a soft chuckle. "You seem to be very confident in your conceptions towards us humans as a race, but do realize that not all of us are in this… terrible mess for our own benefit…"
"Katsura Kogoro, if you and your allies emerge as victors in this conflict, you will not concede power to the Emperor, no matter what slogans you use," Kazama replied. "Instead, you will adopt the Western model of governance, slowly placing the impression that you are giving power to the people, but in fact, you will redistribute the powers that the Bakufu have taken from you and yours amongst yourselves."
Saigo Takamori was speechless. He took a sideways glance at Kazama and realized that this Oni was more dangerous than anyone had perceived. Whatever he had just said, were in the underlying goals of their endeavors. The domains that would soon rise against the Bakufu were those that had been previously defeated at the Battle of Sekigahara, domains that would forever be thorns at the side of the Bakufu, punished for the sole reason that their ancestors had fought against the Tokugawa forces. The Satusma-han was saved from the oppression of the Bakufu for the sole reason that it was too far from Edo to be ever regulated strictly, while the Choushu-han suffered because of it. It was a fight for not only survival, but a fight to prove that the Bakufu was now weak, and that the nation needed to open its eyes before it was too late.
"Impressive," Katsura praised Kazama. "You have most certainly seen through the hearts of many with those words. We have not chosen the wrong Oni to aid us then."
"Go now into the capital," Saigo instructed, giving Kazama a list of documents to secure their passage into the city of Kyoto. "Many of our agents are now residing in this inn." A list of Satsuma agents had been given to them, as well as the address of the inn that Saigo had indicated. "They will give you your first duties."
All three of them bowed, and quickly departed from Saigo and Katsura's presence. "We seem to have obtained a double-edged sword by involving the Oni," Katsura mused. "Especially that Kazama Chikage…"
"The Oni's sense of honor forbids them from doing anything too disastrous to us," Saigo assured Katsura. "They would be invaluable agents to our cause."
Katsura smiled. "I do not doubt that for sure," he replied. "However, I would advise against using a tight leash on them. The wrath that the Oni might incur would be terrible, if the legends are true. It would do us no good to bring another enemy into the chessboard."
Saigo nodded. It was Katsura's way of saying that trying to control the Oni too much would cause in their distaste, and might turn the Oni against them halfway through their journey of overthrowing the Bakufu. "Don't worry, I'll know how to handle Kazama and his lackey, Amagiri. Just figure out how to rein Shiranui in."
"Oh I will in due time," Katsura replied. "Well then I'd best be on my way before anyone sees us together. Farewell, Saigo. Until we meet again."
"Aa," Saigo acknowledged and went on his way as well. When they met again in the city of Kyoto, then it would be the time that the fate of their nation would be changed. He was sure of it.
HAN: Right, just before I was about to lay this fic down for the time being, this little plot bunny sneaked into my head. Here is a glimpse of what I imagined happened when Kazama, Amagiri and Shiranui joined the Imperialists. That's probably why Kazama's always going around bullying the Shinsen-Gumi even though he's in the Satsuma-han, he knows that his bosses are just being double-agents for the time being. ^.^ I've still yet to play Urakata Hakuouki though, but Katsura Kogoro... hmmm... sounds more and more interesting to me.
Night Blooming Rose: Kazama and Hijikata are natural rivals. Kazama and Souji would cause an explosion, methinks.
Scarlotte O'Hara: I would agree with you on that.
Aogetsu: Here I am again! For the time being... I think.