Disclaimer: I do not own PeaceMaker Kurogane or RK.
WolfePaws: Battousai is Himura Kenshin of RK. In this AU, he's a married kendo instructor. Refer Career Week for his little squabble with his bro-in-law.
Chapter 6: Watch Out
Kyoto Park. The policeman saluted smartly as Shinsengumi Chief Kondo arrived on the scene. A bloodied sheet covered the corpse on a bench. The call had come about a shooting. Another officer was questioning a pair of schoolgirl witnesses.
Someone had pumped the contents of a Colt revolver into the head of a man who was feeding ducks.
No motive. The deceased was an ordinary off-duty waiter, or was he? Kondo had called the Oniwabanshu. They did say that they'd have someone in contact with Okita while he was undercover… and Okita alias Kichi frequented Aoi's where the deceased worked.
"Kondo-san, you'll never believe this…" The officer detached himself from the eyewitnesses. "The young ladies claimed they recognized the killer…"
"Well?" Kondo waited.
"It's Okita-senpai…" the rookie fumbled.
"What?!" Kondo grabbed his phone. "Ichimura! Get me in touch with the maximum security prison! Pronto!" He waited for the telltale click…
Tatsu-nii's eyelid twitched as he poured himself a cup from his thermos. Why did Kondo want to speak with the warden of the maximum security prison? He clutched his stomach as his ulcer acted up. Must cut down on coffee…
"Warden? I want you to check on a certain prisoner… Yes, the young man we shipped over last week from Kyoto Remand. Right, the one who tried to kill his guard. Fax me his file and particulars taken down on incarceration!"
Kondo rubbed his temples. Why doe this have to happen now? Saitou was on honeymoon. San-nan had gone to Akesato's hometown to meet his prospective in-laws. Hijikata was unwilling to leave, but Kondo had insisted he take some time off. The poor man's been down in the dumps since his partner went undercover.
The chief toyed with the idea of summoning the group back from the onsen. No, they deserved the vacation. Maybe he should confer with the Oniwabanshu first. He could get reinforcements from Aizu station if need be.
It may just be a random killing by some kid on drugs. There's been a rise in drug-induced violence recently around New Shimabara… He needed an aspirin. Or a soothing cup of Ayu-nee's herbal remedy.
"Kondo-san?" A young man on a motorbike dismounted and walked purposefully over to the chief. He shook Kondo's hand confidently. The man had the air of a leader despite his youth. Calmly, He walked over to the corpse and lifted a corner of the sheet. When he let it fall back down, his face was stricken.
He fought to maintain his icy facade. "He's one of ours. Kondo-san, we'll be in touch." Without further ado, he mounted his bike and took off. So this was the Oniwabanshu's new leader. He had worked with Saitou previously on joint ops. They said after the Divine Truth cult's moles crippled their intelligence, the man had done a ruthless purge of the Oniwabanshu. Many Oniwabanshu members were forced to 'retire'.
Was the deceased Okita's contact? Was Souji in danger?
"Why am I being tied up?" Tetsu whined. The old witch had tied him to a pillar in the storehouse. "Tetsu-kun, if you're going to continue yelling about Okita being undercover, I'll have to gag you as well." Makoto sighed in exasperation. What a troublemaker. Maybe she should've simply let his sensei use the switch on him.
"Makoto-san! Where do you want the firewood?" Suzu came in shouldering the firewood. He gaped at the sight of Tetsu tied to the pillar. Help! Witch wants to eat me! Tetsu gagged on the rag Makoto had stuffed into his mouth. Suzu put the firewood down by the door and left. This is all a weird dream. When I wake up, I'll be at home with Master Yoshida… And we'll go feed ducks on the Kyoto park pond…
Kitamura! You sniveling Teacher's pet! Tetsu howled into his gag.
After Ayu-nee finally accepted his apologies over her ruined kimono, Nagakura Shinpachi was looking forward to some male-bonding with his best friends. Unfortunately, he had a certain little bundle of trouble that needed a minder. He chased after Yoko as she threatened the lobby furniture with her toy sword.
Where's Tetsu? He wanted the boy to watch Yoko-chan for a short while…
"Hey, Susumu! Can you watch Yoko-chan for me?" Susumu was just returning from a stroll to the waterfall. Susumu halted on the threshold at Shinpachi's words. He took one look at the red-haired pair, turned and fled. No way, no how was he gonna reckon with that pint-sized force of nature named Nagakura Yoko.
"Susumu!!!" Shinpachi howled. Yoko made use of this lull in her father's attention to run off. The energetic girl ran upstairs and straight into…
"Are you hurt?" Okita Souji was on his way to a fellow member's room when Yoko ran full-tilt into him. He caught the child gently. Yoko found herself looking at the gentlest pair of lavender eyes she has seen. Okita squatted down to her height. "You shouldn't wander about like that. Daddy and Mummy will get worried…"
Yoko bonked him on the head with her toy sword. "Ow! That hurts!" He smiled as Yoko ran off squealing in delight.
"Hey, Kichi! Since when did you like children?" His fellow lieutenant had gotten tired of waiting and observed the incident from his doorway. Okita mustered up his best smirk.
"Never liked the brats." I'm slipping up… better watch myself. Okita prayed the little girl will find her parents soon.
"I liked the plan you came up with last year. Too bad Owara got cold feet and chickened out… Say, do you think Master Maro's plan will work? I mean actually going at them royals..."
Okita breathed in sharply. The royal family? What devilish plan has Maro come up with?
"Excited, Kichi? Or worried the man's gonna jump you later in the baths?"
Okita excused himself as he heard thundering footsteps and an all too familiar roar from the stairs. "Shinpachi! Look what your brat did to my face! I've tried everything!"
"Everything except acid!" Heisuke added and quickly yelped as Harada cuffed him. Okita sneaked a peek from his room. He stifled the urge to laugh at the sight of Yoko's artwork decorating Sano's face. The girl had given him a handlebar moustache and a goatee. She had added butterflies for good measure.
Unable to control himself, Okita buried his face into the futon and laughed till tears were running down his cheeks.
Author'sNotes:
Forces of Nature are scary. Images of paradise beaches being literally wiped out by the killer tsunamis of Dec 26th. Penang, Phuket, Phi Phi Islands... vacation spots that bring back fond memories (sniffle).
Moment of silence.
Nothing like trying to catch a wave & being whacked out of existence. I'm juz lucky my country's shielded from the brute force of the waves by her much larger neighbors.
Sakura-Shinguji: Received your review. Glad you love the story so far. I had to tone down Okita's wackiness.
Yoko will continue to torment the Trio. Okita's not out of the woods yet with his buddies hanging around the place. And Maro too.
No prizes for guessing who the Oniwabanshu leader is from RK.