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

A-chan: Miburou-Battousai confrontation, the infamous swordfight sequence! Actually it happened later in the timeframe… but I'm bringing it forward due to popular demand. Your letter will be answered in the next issue. And I do trry to answer letters in the companion fic.

Sakura-Shinguji: Yes, Akesato's that blond kunoichi. I think her real name's Sara Mann or something. She's of mixed parentage.

Misaoshiru: I am using the PMK manga to build the fic on. Of course, I am adding some stories to liven this up.

M. Kasshoku: There has to be some reason why Kenshin's so tolerant of Kaoru. Having to help Katsura-san look after his sister will be a good reason. Poor Ken has build up his patience.

Sailor-Earth13: Wait. Saitou will have to reckon with Tokio soon. After he steps on the toes on the WAJ chairwoman Umeko. Behind every successful man is a woman. In the coming issues, the women's association will 'help' Saitou down the path of matrimony. I have about 4 years to cover before the current volume of PMK.

New Kyoto Post

Working for a Brighter Future!

Issue 17

Memorial Service Raided

Friends and family of those who perished in the Ikeda-ya incident were not amused when a certain peacekeeping group, led by Captains Saitou and Okita crashed their dignified memorial service in downtown Kyoto. Casualties were suffered by both sides. It was understood that the service was held in the hopes of sending the shade of the late Yoshida into the afterlife.

Yoshida's shade, and that of his page, has been sighted strolling along the river bank over several nights in the past few weeks. The shade Yoshida was described as being masked and wearing a cloak. His page was described as white-haired, of dark complexion, even for a ghost and wearing a very expensive looking outfit.

It was also rumored that they attacked a redhead child, but no one has come forward to confirm this incident.

Duel Fiasco! Top wolves vs Battousai WASHOUT!

After the Shinsengumi raided a certain inn in downtown Kyoto two nights ago, they chanced upon the mysterious serial killer Hitokiri Battousai. To the delight of the ninjas on the roofs, the Miburou raiding party included both of Shinsengumi's best: Okita Souji and Saitou Hajime.

It looked as though Okita would challenge Battousai as the young captain greeted the killer and made to draw his sword after crushing a flower he had picked and throwing the petals to the wind. However, Saitou stepped forward and held him back. Okita's kunoichi fans were sorely disappointed.

Then it was a clash of the best as Saitou's Gatotsu faced off Battousai's Hiten Misturugi Ryu. Bets were placed on who will live as the men slugged it out, causing massive damage to the shop fronts. Both fighters could not even scratch the other.

Then Okita collapsed coughing blood from suspected internal injuries suffered earlier. Battousai made use of this distraction to leap onto the roof and flee. When questioned, the hitokiri said, "I've done my part buying time for my friends to escape. There's no point in prolonging the fight."

Saitou was quoted as shouting, "Damn you, coward! Next time we meet, I'll kill you! I swear! Aku Soku Zan! Mark my words!" Only an old ninja had bet on a draw between the two and won a windfall of 5000 ryou.

NOTICE: Aoiya Special Invite!

I, Okina, invite every beauty in Shimabara and Kyoto down to Aoiya for a party. I just got myself a large sum of money and I wanna ask you gals out for a whole night of fun, games and good food!

Umeko's Kitchen

Things are very busy. I needed to get a Christian exorcist to send a departed acquaintance into the afterlife. Do you have any idea how hard that is since they outlawed Christianity all those years ago? Thank goodness I found a Dutch minister from that foreign trading company willing to perform the ceremony for a small fee.

Dear Umeko,

My husband's a member of a local public security force. He spends much of his time in the barracks. Recently, I've been hearing rumors that he's GAY! He visits teahouses of dubious repute with his like-minded ahou buddies.

- Distressed Wife

Dear Distressed,

You should clarify things with him, tell him how you feel and urge him to do his duty by you as a husband. If all else fails, divorce him, and take the children with you.

- Yours, Umeko

Dear Umeko,

I'm a boy who has suffered a tremendous shock when I witnessed my sister's murder by a kami-damned hitokiri. My hair's gone white within a few months of that and everyone keeps mistaking me for some boy called Kita-something-or-other! For the last freaking time, I'm Yukishiro Enishi and I've nothing to do with those Choushu scumbags! Quit trying to drag me to your anti-bakufu meetings! I think Okubo's a (bleep!) jackass and a Katsura's common thug.

- Yukishiro Enishi who hates all things Ishin

Dear Enishi-san,

Get out of Kyoto if you wish to live. You probably have every Choushu and Satsuma hitokiri after your neck by now… Besides, a change of scenery may help you get over your sister's tragic demise. May I suggest a quiet town in the Kyushu region or further?

Yours, Umeko

Dear Umeko,

I am a bodyguard working for a certain man. Recently, a new guy's joined the team from that human management department. He has a bit of a reputation... you know. Thing is, all of us guys are a bit nervous about him. Honestly, some of us fear for our lives. I have taken to sleeping in the dining hall to avoid having to bunk with him.

- Old Guard

Dear Old Guard,

Come on, the lad isn't that bad... Trust me. You'll catch a cold sleeping in the draughty dining hall. Just remember not to try tucking him in for the night and you'll do fine. You'll grow to appreciate your new colleague eventually, after a few good fights with the local wolf pack.

Yours, Umeko

Personal Notice

My brother, Nagakura Shinpachi, is NOT gay! He wasn't caught in a lewd position with his friends Toudou and Harada behind the temple library like those gossips claim! He has a perfectly sound explanation for this unfortunate misunderstanding, once he cares to tell us… The rumors are causing great distress to us! Desist immediately!

-Nagakura Midori (Umeko-san, do you have a naginata I can use?)

To all you wagging tongues,

My chums and I were simply engaged in a friendly three-corner wrestling match over who gets the best wild boar chops. I was not doing what you think I was!

– Nagakura (man, the Demon's gonna kill me…)

Assassin for HIRE!

Want to remove that irritating someone permanently? I am a freelance assassin and a trained kunoichi willing to assist you! Leave a note in the second stone lantern from the shrine gate with your contact details at Mibu Temple and I'll meet up with you. Address all notes to Sara.

Shamisen Classes!

I, Takasugi, will be resuming my actual shamisen classes in the Sakura Inn in downtown Kyoto. We have vacancies for the beginner classes on Friday evenings. Reasonable prices. Contrary to rumors, I am not dying! (cough, cough)

Author's notes:

The showdown between Saitou and Kenshin. I don't really know when it happened, or how it ended in a stalemate.

Christianity was outlawed in Japan under Tokugawa rule. However, there were many secret Christians. Umeko must be really resourceful to get that Dutch minister given the times then. They restricted contact with foreigners. Only a small number of Dutch and Chinese merchants were allowed to trade in Nagasaki. Sakamoto founded a trading company in Nagasaki.

Poor Kenshin. Even his colleagues are terrified of him. At least he didn't have to fight Okita, yet. Party at Aoiya!