Disclaimer: I do not own Peacemaker Kurogane or Ruronin Kenshin.

M. Kasshoku: Yes, Saitou will be wriggling his way out of his wedding for a very long time.

Sailor-Earth13: Takagi T. will catch her wolf eventually… And more hiccups for Kenni and Sou.

SakuraShinguji: Glad you loved it… The kids were a tad cruel to poor Souji. But I wanted to show the suspicions about San-nan's death. And your letter gets a reply, sorta.

Ever wondered what goes on in the place in Kyoto known as The Sake Shack? And what of Hotaru after getting booted out of the Red and Black Club? And what of the Chief Editor? Don't forget to check out the Meji era companion The Japan Bulletin.

New Kyoto Post

Working for a Brighter Future!

Issue 15

THE EDITOR'S DESK

We were suspended again for investigations, but don't fret, we're back! As the Chief Editor, I assure you that we are dedicated to creating a brighter future for all. In no way whatsoever do we want to create unrest in our society. We only seek to create a society of peace, at all costs.

Thank you to those who have written in to express their concern about my health. I have recovered the best I can from my injuries. I will continue to bring you New Kyoto Post from the comfort of my wheelchair. (Nurse! I need the chamber pot… er… Hotaru-hime… please…Nami? Someone? Hotaru-hime, sorry I called you a lousy kunoichi. You improved after the training… don't leave me!)

- Chief Editor, Ikeda Koji

LOCAL NEWS: Disturbance at Sake Shack

Local police were called to the popular watering hole, Sake Shack, two nights ago to break up a brawl involving two off-duty members of the Shinsengumi. Nagakura Shinpachi and Harada Sanosuke, both captains, tried to chat up a young woman at the bar. Things got rowdy when the men discovered the woman was really a he.

The law-enforcement guys tried to subdue the two captains and a fight started. The 'woman' used this distraction to slip out. Just when the drunken captains were subdued, another commotion broke out between a woman and her male companion. The policemen recognized the male as a wanted man, Sakamoto.

Sakamoto resisted arrest and wounded two officers with his weapons before fleeing. The two Shinsengumi captains fled during this chaos. Sakamoto's unknown female friend also disappeared from the Sake Shack before she can be brought in to help in investigations.

LOCAL NEWS: Disturbance outside Aoiya

Pedestrians in the street outside Aoiya yesterday afternoon narrowly escaped serious injury when the owner of the inn threw shuriken at a cheat. A customer at Aoiya tried to make use of its ladies' discounts by passing himself off as a woman. When the innkeeper Okina discovered his guest's true gender, he was furious and chased the man out of the inn.

The following exchange was quoted by witnesses.

"Dirty old man! You groped me!"

"How dare you lead me on! Freak!"

"I'm gonna demolish your inn! I swear!"

"Just try, you transvestite!"

Waitresses Omasu and Okon insist that Okina has never trained as a ninja despite the fact he managed to throw his shuriken with alarming accuracy into the busy street without even scratching an innocent party. The cross-dresser was seen limping off the scene. Okina has been fined by the town council for his foolish stunt.

Riverside Haunting?

Two dead members of the now defunct YMSA were spotted strolling along the riverside in the late evening. Witnesses identified the specters as Yoshida and his page. Master Yoshida was killed last year in the infamous Ikeda-ya incident. His page is missing and believed to be dead. Former members of the YMSA are seeking a skilled exorcist in hopes of putting these two souls to rest. The ceremony's date and venue will be determined later.

Umeko's Kitchen

Sales are brisk. And I need to reserve rooms on behalf of the WAJ. I am rushed off my feet. Thankfully, I have a few minutes to answer your letters before my next appointment.

Dear Umeko,

I am a lowly clerk working at Black Cat Mansions. My young master has been keeping undesirable company. I now suspect he was involved in the old master's brutal murder last year. He paid a huge sum to hire some criminal or something. That person is now a guest on the premises. Should I confront them?

- Lowly Slave

Dear Lowly,

I strongly suggest a career change to anyone who's still working there. The place gives me the creeps and it isn't just those black cats! I strongly discourage a confrontation. You may voice your suspicions to the local police, but it's anyone's guess whether those incompetents will follow up with an investigation.

- Yours, Umeko

Dear Umeko,

My boss can't keep his hands to himself! I am currently employed at a new and very popular inn and restaurant as a waitress. That dirty old man keeps trying to touch my bottom! I even found a spy-hole in my room. The room next to mine is his! Should I make things clear with a kunai or two?

- Tired of being pawed

Dear Tired,

Maybe you should seek out employment elsewhere. An established and popular family-restaurant like Umeya will be a sound choice. We have vacancies here for experienced waitresses.

- Yours, Umeko

I must dash! I've got a date with a special someone at the Sake Shack. (Nami, does this kimono make me look sexy? Should I wear the blue or the red hairpin? Ryou-kun said the red one matches my lips but…)

Dear Umeko,


I've got major woman problems. This girl just can't take a hint! She hangs on me all day, and nothing I do will get rid of her! I've tried avoiding her, acting strangely to scare her away, flat-out telling her off, threatening her life...nothing works! If I hear that annoying voice one more time, I think I'm going to kill her! Help!


-Pyro

Er, (aside) Hotaru, have you been pestering someone again? Oops, Running late… (Dashes off) Nami, don't wait up for me!

Personal Apology

My sweet plum blossom, I apologize for what happened at the Sake Shack. I never told you I was married because I thought we were only friends. I never meant to lead you on. I have the greatest respect for your strength of character, generosity of spirit and wisdom. Can we still be friends? Gomen-nasai - S.R.

Apology Notice

To my friend from outside Kyoto, Gomen. Sorry for smashing that sake jar on your head in the Shack. I was a bit upset on finding that you have a family in Edo. However, I wish to continue our purely platonic friendship. If you are agreeable, drop by my place. – Sugar Plum

Employment Opportunity

Umeya hiring waitresses. Must be pleasant and willing to do housework including laundry. Experience preferred and discretion a must.

Advertisement

I need to upgrade my naginata urgently. Maybe a scythe-blade and a chain-and-ball ensemble. Contact Kamatari at the Sake Shack.

Paid Ad

My Blackie is no bloodthirsty beast. He's gentle and harmless. I let him sleep in my bed and play with the children! Leave my Blackie alone! He just needs his nightly exercise. My mansion just isn't large enough for him. You Miburou bastards will do well to keep out of his way, seeing he attacks only when threatened.

- Blackie's doting owner

P.S. I'm still letting Blackie go out at night. A fine of 500 ryous per outing's well worth it.

Urgent!

Kyoto Town Council needs a skilled hunter experienced in catching or killing big cats after a policeman was killed by one such beast. Funeral and medical expanses will be paid for.

Personal Ad:

To Souji-chan, my distant cousin, if you are reading this, help set me up with your colleague Saitou Hajime. Please. My baka brother's been chasing boys in Shimabara instead of seeing to my wedding preparations. I know this is a long shot as you probably don't subscribe to this paper but Umeko-san says she'll pass the message to you with your sweets. Meet me at Umeya for dinner, bring Saitou or be sorry…

- Your cousin, Takagi Tokio

Notice: To a certain red-haired hitokiri

Care to explain why you were sharing your table with a pig-hugging Miburou? You were seen by your colleagues at the Sake Shack last night. We understand you haven't got over your wife's death, but do you mind being more selective of your drinking partners? And reciting humorous poetry together is much worse! Think of the Choushu Ishin's reputation!

Reply: We're both off duty and he doesn't know I'm a hitokiri, wait, if he's reading this… gee, thanks for permanently ending our friendship. Oh well, knew it was too good to last.

Author's notes:

Sugar-plum? The kanji for Umeko's name means plum. BTW, Umeko answered the letters before the Sake Shack incident. (Ryouma's married?) BTW, Nami and Hotaru are kunoichi and waitresses of Umeya.

Someone's been a bad boy, hasn't he? I can't get over the black cats from the manga… Especially the panther from PMK vol 1. It kinda disappeared afterwards. Spoilers for an incident in PMK vol 3.

I don't know the exact relationship between Takagi and Okita. I'm making it so Okita and Tokio are distant cousins. And Tokio's family is real well-connected to the bakufu in Aizu.

Kamatari's a teenager in this fic's timeframe. So technically, he'll be older than Yumi in this ficcie… Argh, I'll work out the ages somehow for the companion fic.

Thanks for the reviews! They are inspirational. Suggestions welcome.