CHAPTER TWENTYONE
"They've retreated!" The call came from a very young looking soldier, running and stumbling up to the lieutenant, who shook himself awake and stood.
They'd been fighting two days and one night. Kenshin was tired. Last night he'd dreamed of Tomoe. It bothered him that he could think of her in the midst of such a place as this, a place that reeked of blood. Death was all around. Another two of the wounded had died during the night.
Even their campsite was near the stone sculptures of a graveyard, the gravestones sticking up from the ground in disorderly rows nearly on top of each other. They reminded him of the stone carving he'd commissioned as Tomoe's grave marker. He wondered how it turned out. He wondered if he'd live to see it.
Tomoe.
Her quiet beauty was the antithesis of this war.
"What's that?" The lieutenant was fully awake now, confronting the messenger.
"Last night." The boy gasped out. "Takasugi ordered an attack on the left flank, from over there." He gestured across the graveyard to the other side of the island. "They cut and ran. Their ships are gone. Ohshima is ours."
The lieutenant's eyes lighted. "Did you hear that?" he shouted. "Ohshima is ours. We've won back our island."
As the soldiers cheered and began to get to their feet, the lieutenant motioned to Kenshin to come over.
"Now that this battle is over, you're to go back to Takasugi. He said he'd be re-assigning you to Katsura when we left the island." The lieutenant's eyes raked across Kenshin's face searchingly, attempting to gauge his reaction, but Kenshin kept his expression carefully blank.
The soldiers' voices swelled as the news spread and more and more of them heard about the victory and reacted. The cheerful babble gave Kenshin an excuse to merely nod in silent agreement to Takasugi's order and walk away, leaving the lieutenant to his celebrating squad members.
o-o-o
Kenshin felt numb. In the end, it was several days before Takasugi was able to return with him to Shimonoseki. There were bodies to be buried, wounded men to be treated, and supply lines established in case the bakufu troops came back.
On June 16 Takasugi took the Year Of The Tiger back to Shimonoseki and walked with Kenshin and several lieutenants to the wealthy merchant's house. Takasugi was still wearing his black haori coat with his family's crest emblazoned on the shoulders. It was creased and stained from battle. He reminded Kenshin of the rumpled looking samurai, Sakamoto Ryoma.
One of the lieutenants reported that the bakufu troops had attacked Choshu's eastern border on the Inland sea. The Choshu army repulsed them with such ferocity that the Tokugawa commander, orchestrating his forces from Hiroshima, called a truce.
Takasugi laughed harshly. "The Tokugawa should just give up. If their own samurai combined with those of Kii province can't beat us, none of them can."
"Well, they're still trying." his lieutenant returned grimly. "Word came today that Murata's forces have engaged the enemy on our northeast border."
"Knowing Murata, he'll be in the bakufu's Hamada castle before they know what hit them." Takasugi sneered. "When will those fools learn that we'll never lose to them? Murata's the best military expert in Japan."
"What about the bakufu forces in Kokura clan's territory?" another lieutenant chimed in worriedly. "Kyushu is only just across the strait from here and word has it that Kokura clan has troops from Kumamoto and Kurume clans helping them man their artillery batteries."
"So what? We've got four ships, and we're not afraid to use them. After the pounding we gave them at Ohshima Island, those bakufu dogs will think twice about sending their ships after us again."
The lieutenants laughed as the party reached the gate. Takasugi gave them their instructions for the day and sent them away, then walked through the gate, followed by Kenshin.
"Takasugi! Kenshin!" Shunme's joyous voice rang out. He jumped down from the porch and came running up to them, meeting them under the maple tree.
"Shunme." Takasugi's narrow eyes crinkled in a smile. "I see you're still alive."
"And you. Katsura's waiting for you. For both of you." Shunme included Kenshin in his smile. He turned and led the way to the mansion, scratching on the door panel, which was opened by the maid, who stepped back to let them in. Kenshin glanced at Shunme as he went by. Usually it was Shunme who was inside, and Kenshin who patrolled the outside. Shunme winked and pulled the door shut.
"Welcome sirs." The maid bowed very low and brought them further inside. She led them past a staircase down a long hallway to a room in the back. Pulling open the partition, she bowed deeply from the waist and let them pass, pulling it shut again after they entered the room.
Katsura was sitting with his back to the toko-no-ma, an alcove set into the side wall. There was a scroll hanging from the ceiling near the top of the alcove with a picture of a cat sitting by a koi pond with fish. The ink brush drawing was delicate, yet humorous, the cat's expression one of assumed innocence. Along the far wall of the room two of the upper window area partitions were open, allowing a breeze from the back garden to enter.
"Welcome." Katsura said, bowing at the waist from where he sat on the tatami mats. Daylight from the open partitions fell on the floor in square patches, one of them illuminating his face as he sat upright again.
Takasugi and Kenshin set their swords at their sides as they sat in front of him, returning the bow.
Smiling, Katsura began. "I've heard of your victory. You've done well."
Takasugi grinned and slumped over to the side into a more comfortable seated position. "Why so formal, Katsura? You knew we'd win. You sent Kenshin here to ensure it, didn't you?" There was a challenge in his voice.
Katsura glanced down at the tatami mat, then back up to meet his gaze. "I wanted to be sure you didn't push yourself too hard."
"I'm dying, Katsura. I'm not dead yet. I don't need a nursemaid. I sent Kenshin ashore to fight."
Katsura didn't blink. "I know. I heard. As you well know, my intelligence gathering network is excellent." he said evenly.
There was a silence, then Takasugi laughed.
Kenshin glanced at him in surprise. Whenever he'd heard Takasugi laugh before it was usually mirthlessly or cynically. When he looked at Katsura to see how he was taking it, he saw that the man was smiling back at his friend.
Noticing Kenshin's regard, Katsura turned to him. "So, Takasugi was being difficult, was he?"
"Not really." Kenshin demurred.
Katsura's mouth twitched, repressing a smile. "You are diplomatic Kenshin. You served Takasugi well, though not in the capacity I'd originally planned."
Kenshin flushed. He'd had to obey Takasugi. The one thing Takasugi had drummed into his head above all during his time at the training camp in the mountains was absolute obedience to the Choshu loyalist military leader. Once Katsura handed him back to Takasugi, that loyalty went back into affect.
Kenshin didn't like to think about what he'd do if Katsura and Takasugi ever turned on each other. Though the way they related to one another spoke of a longstanding friendship not likely to be broken any time soon.
"May I go outside and relieve Shunme?" Kenshin asked, anxious to get back to his normal duties.
Katsura nodded.
Out of habit, Kenshin glanced toward Takasugi who was looking at him speculatively. Takasugi nodded his permission as well, so Kenshin left.
As he pulled the partition shut again behind him, he heard Takasugi's voice saying, "That's fine for now, Katsura, but I may ask to borrow him back again later."
Kenshin strode away before he could hear Katsura's answer.
Back outside, he found Shunme, staring up into the maple tree.
"There's a squirrel up there." Shunme offered, as Kenshin walked up. Kenshin stepped back and craned his neck, spotting the small creature huddled on a branch, its black eyes transfixed for the moment on Shunme. Then it scampered away to the other side of the tree trunk with a flash of its plume-like tail.
Shunme laughed softly. "My daughter loves squirrels, or at least she did the last time I saw her. It's been months now. Children grow very quickly and change when you're not looking."
"Hmm." Kenshin hummed noncommittally.
"You look tired." said Shunme reproachfully. "You haven't been taking care of yourself without me around to look after you." He paused and cocked his head.
Tosa accents. Two men were coming up the street. One voice was familiar. Ryoma.
The gate swung open and Sakamoto Ryoma barged through it, another slightly older man following in his wake.
"Kenshin, Shunme." Ryoma grinned his greeting. "Where's Katsura?"
"He and Takasugi are within; they're waiting for you." Shunme said. "I'll take you both inside."
Ryoma jerked his head at his companion. "This is Kenchiki. He's with me."
The older looking man bowed distractedly and hurried after Ryoma, who was already halfway to the house, waving impatiently at him to come along.
Kenshin caught his breath. When Ryoma waved, he caught sight of the man's hands. His left thumb and index finger were horribly scarred with sword cuts. He was missing part of his thumb's knuckle, and there was a jagged gash in his index finger, pink with healing scar tissue.
It must have happened at the Teradaya Inn. Shunme had never finished telling Kenshin how Ryoma escaped. Judging by the cuts to his hands, Ryoma had a high tolerance for pain if he'd been able to keep gripping a sword with wounds such as those and fight his way out. Kenshin's estimation of the man went up another notch.
Then the three men disappeared into the mansion and Kenshin was left alone on guard duty.
o-o-o
"You're to go with Takasugi." Shunme told Kenshin when he came out of the house about an hour later and jumped down from the porch.
Kenshin looked at him quizzically. He'd just got back and already Katsura was trading him back to Takasugi?
Shunme shook his head in commiseration. "I know, but there's news of the Bakufu's plans. They are going to launch an all-out attack on Choshu by sea the day after tomorrow. We're completely outnumbered. Together, including Kokura, Kumamoto and Kurame clan troops, the bakufu forces number about 20,000. In Shimonoseki there are only about 1,000 Choshu troops ready to defend the port. If we're going to survive, we need to attack by surprise, and destroy the boats they intend to use to invade."
Kenshin nodded slowly. "I'll go, if that's where Katsura wants me to be."
Shunme looked grim. "Ryoma will be taking his ship, The Union, and one of ours, The Koshin Maru to attack the fortifications at Moji inlet. I'll be with Takasugi on The Year Of The Tiger and our other two ships, attacking the other fortifications at Tanoura inlet."
"Why put me on a ship?" Kenshin asked the question that was bothering him about the plan. He was a swordsman, not a sharpshooter or an artillery gunner.
"You won't be, at least not the way you think. You'll be with the landing forces." Shunme grimaced. "I'll be the one rolling on the deck of Takasugi's big old ship getting sea-sick, you'll be in a rowboat. While the warships are attacking the bakufu's fortifications, every rowboat in Choshu will be rowing across the strait to invade Kokura clan's territory. It's a three-way surprise attack. Takasugi will give you the details later."
The door of the mansion opened and Takasugi stepped out on the porch.
"There he is," Shunme observed. He clapped Kenshin on the arm. "Good luck." Nodding to Takasugi, he walked past him up the steps and took up guard position on the porch.
Kenshin blinked in surprise. Shunme had never done that before. For all his friendly banter, he'd never touched Kenshin in a comradely gesture. No one ever did.
"Come on." Takasugi said as he walked toward the gate. Kenshin followed. Back to the war already. When would it end?
END CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
A/N Apologies for the bone-headed error in the last chapter of having Kenshin refer to a hitenmitsurugiryu technique he hadn't learned yet. It's fixed and the reference has now been deleted.
Note to Reviewers:
Crackerjack – Welcome! I solemnly promise to finish this story and not leave you hanging.
A lilmatchgirl – I really liked your old penname too. The '007' made you sound quite daring in a British espionage-ish sort of way. I feel kind of guilty for making Takasugi sound cold when he berated Kenshin. Takasugi was cynical and a bit brusque in the OAV, but nowhere near as much of a jerk as he's turned out to be in my story.
Wyrd – Thanks for your kind thoughts. Fortunately, I think I'm mostly over my cold now. About your guess about Takasugi and the naval battle, the battle in chapter twenty was cribbed directly from historical accounts. I won't be having Kenshin board a bakufu ship to fight, though I did take one scene from the OAV end sequence. He will be traveling in a rowboat to a battle as he did in the OAV in a later chapter. As for Takasugi falling off his horse – I'm not exactly sure when in history that was supposed to have happened. In the OAV it seems like he falls off his horse because he's dying, however the real Takasugi died on April 14, collapsing for the last time while on his way to a Shimonoseki restaurant, and not in the midst of a battle. Like you and Lilmatchgirl, I too loved the part in the OAV when Tomoe's spirit embraces Kenshin. I also think that you shouldn't sell yourself short! Your reviews are insightful and well-written. If you ever do decide to try your hand at a fanfiction story, I'd love to read it.
Ninie – Welcome! Sorry I almost made you late for school, but I'm incredibly flattered that you liked the story to the point where you lost track of time while reading it!
XZig-zagx – Yes, I must admit I really made Takasugi out to be kind of a jerk. Expect more Kenshin trading in this chapter too.
Hitokiri-sama – Welcome! I know, I blew it with the reference to kuzuryusen. I really should have waited to post that chapter until I read volume 11 of the manga which is where Kenshin meets up with Hiko and gets the final training. Glad you liked Takasugi!
LadyRhiyana – Good point about the difference between battle and selected assassinations. In war you have a commanding officer and are part of a squad, not a lone killer making your own decisions. War brings out the best in some people and the worst in others, and Takasugi loses patience in the heat of battle. I figured knowing he was dying may have had an effect on his personal interactions and made him less likely to bother to be caring or understanding. His whole goal was to spend the rest of his life destroying the bakufu, which he pretty much did.
Sailor-Earth13 – War is definitely "hell" as you noted. To prepare for writing the last chapter and the ones to come, I went on the internet and read a few first hand accounts of soldiers who fought in the American Civil War – which took place in roughly the same time period. I love everything about history, and it sounds like you're a history fan too!
Lolopopoki – I'm glad you enjoyed the action scenes. It felt kind of odd putting Kenshin in a battle where he spent most of the time pinned down by enemy fire, but that's really how warfare went in the 1860s. As for the song, don't worry, there are a few more places I still can look to find the registration number for winzip, so I haven't given up hope of hearing it yet!
Misaoshiru – I see you caught my 'kuzuryusen' error too. Sigh. And by the way, no blushing allowed for the review of "Bloodstained" – it was great and you deserve oodles of praise. Thanks too for correcting my mis-spelling of your name. I actually ate miso soup a lot while I was sick with my cold. I figured it had to be healthy, and I found a store that sells instant miso soup packets! By the way, thanks for mentioning Naga's story. I'm enjoying reading my way through it!
BakaBokken – Oh please go ahead and write about the firing of the ships on Ohshima Island in your fiction! I can't take credit for it, it's a well documented historical event so feel free to use it. Or if you prefer, you could write about when the bakufu ships first took over Ohshima because I just referred to it, I didn't place Kenshin or the storyline there at all.
Nekotsuki – Yep, poor Kenshin did get treated more like a commodity than a human being by Takasugi in the OAV and later on in my story. At least in the OAV Katsura worried about him, and asked Tomoe to help him. As for talking to me about history for 'Snowblind', I'd love to help if I can. If you have any questions about history feel free to email me, my address is on my profile. I don't have all that many books about Japanese history at home, but I've learned to use the internet to find answers to questions (thank you Encarta online for confirming that Japan has squirrels!) and I'll try to help you out as best I can.
Kie-san – I agree, war is pretty gross. Since you're reading the 'remembrance' part of the manga right now, I'm curious – is it similar or different to the anime version?