The sake brewery wasn't big and not very far from the farm where we stopped. I walked silently, hoping not to come across too much Rasetsu in the daylight and I hid behind one of the houses's wall to have a plain view on the entrance of the building. It was buzzing with activity although it was daytime. Toudou hadn't lie to me, the Rasetsu of Sannan could now live in the sun just like myself. Were they really cured or were they still suffering the mild discomfort of the daylight ? And if they were still enslaved by their instincts, then how were they nourishing themselves ? The people of the town seemed afraid of the strangers we were and of the sake brewery but simple questions at the farm informed me that no murders were reported. Then where were they supplying themselves in their daily blood doses ? So many Rasetsu... If they were still as numerous as when they fled from Edo, they were about two dozen.
« So what do you think, Hajime ? » I heard next to me « Should we go in ? »
I turned, surprised that someone was stealth enough to walk on me unnoticed and froze when I found Mika's laughing eyes inches away from my face.
« Yasha-san » I saluted her coldly.
So she really is alive...
« So cold again... » she sighed with regret « why wouldn't you call me Mika ? I hope you don't mind if I call you Hajime. We're good friends now. »
« As a matter of fact, I do mind. » I answered « What are you doing here, Yasha-san ? »
« True question is what are you doing here ? » she pouted with her arms crossed « sneaking around isn't really polite. Where's my father ? »
« Yasha-san... » I sighed, uncomfortable « My apologies. I failed to protect your father. »
« I know » she chuckled « I'm messing with you. » her expression darkened though when she spoke again « Koan was tired anyway... Maybe he chose it to be the end... I knew it was only because of me that he wasn't giving up... So bad that he would never join Inari... »
« I'm sorry for your loss. » I said, meaning every word of it « Koan was a good man. »
« A good fox, that's for sure. » she chuckled again « not sure about the man though. »
I stayed silent, not knowing how to reply to that and still uneasy. Mika was she a friend or a foe here ?
« Where are my manners » she said, holdings her forehead « pardon me, Hajime. Would you like to come in ? I got so excited when I scent you coming to visit us, I already made some tea. I'm a bit sad you haven't brought Haruhi though... How is she ? I like this kid. »
« I'm afraid I will have to decline your offer. » I answered.
I was here to scout, not to entertain a damn fox. Especially knowing her definition of entertainment.
« But I told Kei-chan we'll have you for lunch ! » she pouted « you can't decline ! »
Kei-chan ?! Is that Sannan ?
I had trouble imagining Sannan willingly letting Mika call him Kei-chan... What was the meaning of all this ?
« Pleaaaaase, Hajime... » she asked again « It's been so long I haven't seen you ! »
« Why are you with Sannan, Yasha-san ? » I asked.
« Isn't it obvious ? » she smiled « Your kin proved that it was even more powerful than a male pure blood Oni ! I need that and since you wouldn't let me, I had to find an alternative so I found an agreement with Kei-chan. »
« What sort of agreement ? » I asked, perplexed.
What could Mika offer Sannan that justified to keep her by his side ? Knowing Sannan, he was probably making tremendous efforts to control himself not to kill the annoying fox.
« Let's just say I gave him something precious for his service » she laughed « Come on, now ! The tea's gonna be cold ! »
Well I was discovered anyway so I guess there was no point of scouting anymore. Yet, I wasn't really sure about this, especially alone. I would rather have Toudou with me but again, keeping Toudou's presence a secret could be an asset. Mika never mentioned my friend so I guess she didn't know he was there. Maybe she didn't know his scent. I nodded, cautious and followed Mika in plain sight to enter the brewery. I kept my right hand on my scabbard, ready to pull it quickly if my left needed to unsheath but discreetly enough to be polite. Inside, there wasn't any sake production. Instead, they transformed it into a giant laboratory. That answered my first question, they weren't cured. But maybe they developed a more effective treatment. The Rasetsu were working on the cuves and some of them saluted me politely as I passed by them.
Mika led me to the back of the brewery where I found Sannan waiting for me with a gentle smile. He was sitting in front of a table with cups of tea and plates of sweets were displayed. With a movement of the hand, he invited me to take place in front of it and I sat with Mika at the table.
« Saito-kun » he smiled « long time no see. How's the war going ? »
I clenched my hands into fists and grounded my teeth but it was a toneless calm voice that got out of my lips.
« I think you already know the answer to that question. » I stated.
« You are correct » he smiled wider « Every month that pass conforts me into the idea that I took the right decision by taking my Rasetsu out of this war. »
« They're not your Rasetsu. » I said calmly, taking the cup of tea in my hand to mirror his gestures but not a fool enough to bring my lips to it.
« Maybe you should ask them. » he grinned.
I didn't answer. I knew that most of the Rasetsu were loyal to Sannan before the Shinsengumi. That was why the colonel was so dangerous.
« So, why do I get the pleasure of your visit, Saito-kun ? »
« You are deserters. » I simply said « That's against the code. »
« So it's to kill us ? » he chuckled « did you go after Harada-kun and Nagakura-kun with the same fervor ? »
« What are you doing here, Sannan ? » I asked, out of patience « Why did you quit ? »
« You may not realize it, nor did Hijikata-san, But Rasetsu are people, not tools. We grew tired to get used by the Shinsengumi. What did we got in return ? A life of hiding, an aversion to the sun, a bloodlust... the madness... and our lives getting shorter, every time Hijikata-san was sending us to clean the mess. In my opinion, that wasn't that much of a great deal. »
He paused to sip in his cup of tea and I waited for him to continue. I was a Rasetsu too, his words did resonate in me even if never I would have betrayed the Shinsengumi. Sannan opened his kimono with a soft smile and I saw his skin underneath, cracking like broken porcelain.
« I'm dying, Saito-kun. » he said calmly « and there are some of my men that are even closer to death than I am. Hijikata used us in battle until we were of no use. »
« But... You were the one who always wanted to produce more Rasetsu... » I replied, perplexed.
« It's true... The madness, the bloodlust... It was driving me crazy... It's only when I made Saito-sensei's calculations myself that I realized how we had been tricked by becoming Rasetsu. I decided to focus on the cure but Hijikata-san wouldn't have let me have access to everything I needed and he wasn't trusting me anymore. My men, that's more important to me than the Shinsengumi and your stupid war. Here, I'm working on improving the serum. »
« Is there a cure, Sannan ? » I asked, even if I already knew the answer.
« Not for the moment. » he sighed. « We lost four men in tests. »
« How can your Rasetsu live in the daylight ? » I asked, noticing how eager he was to speak to me.
« How can you, Saito-kun ? » he smiled.
Because I drink Chizuru's blood.
I stayed silent, waiting for his answer to my question but he just sipped tea.
« Are you killing people ? » I asked.
« Do you really think I would answer that question if it was the case ? »
« Then answer it if you're innocent. » I stated.
« We are not. » he smiled.
« Were you responsible for the murders in Edo ? » I asked again.
« This was us, yes. Before we found a solution, thanks to Mika. » he said.
And you bastard accused me...
Mika made a sound that sounded like a purr when Sannan praised her. I didn't know what game she was playing but I still didn't have any answers to the questions that were haunting me.
« What's that solution ? »
« That's a secret. » he said.
« I am a Rasetsu too, as you know. » I said calmly « If there is indeed a solution, I would be glad if you shared it with me. »
« You already know. » he said enigmatically and I was even more confused, even if I wasn't showing it.
« I'll find it. » I warned « One way or another. »
I needed that solution, if not for me, at least for Toudou, and I needed it fast. There were my family, my men and my lord waiting for me in Aizu. I needed to get there as soon as possible. The temperature dropped several degrees and our tones weren't cordial anymore when we resumed speaking.
« Are you here to declare war on us, Saito-kun ? » he asked.
« It is not my primary intention, especially if you do not harm anyone » I said and Mika chuckled « Yet, if you do not want to cooperate, I will have to find other means to get what I want. »
« And what do you want ? » he asked.
« Chizuru's researchs, yours and the solution you mentioned. » I simply said.
« I'm afraid I cannot hand you any of that. » he grinned wryly.
« Then I'm afraid I will have to get them myself. » I said, standing up « thank you for the tea, Sannan. »
« I won't let you get inside another time » he said.
« Then I have to get them now. » I said and I unsheathed my sword rapidly to slit Sannan's throat.
Outside the brewery, I looked at my sword that I still had in hand and at my exposed chest, my waistcoat and shirt completely unbuttoned. There was a paper in my right hand and I unfolded it.
« Aren't you cute when you get all serious ? Be careful, Hajime ! Next time you come and play with us, I might open your pants ! Love, Mika. »
I threw the paper to the ground, face red and teeth grounded in anger. Damn fox ! I sheathed back my sword and buttoned my shirt and waistcoat before I headed back to the farm to inform Toudou on what I learned. At night, I would probably try to sneak in again, whatever the cost. No one ever threatened me and got away with it. And Kitsune weren't an exception.
