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

M.Kasshoku: I don't think Kenshin was actually going to consult Fujita. It was more an "oops, wrong place, wrong time" thing. About the haiku book theft, it has appeared in the earlier issues of the newspaper. It cost the Choushu guys one of their best doctors back in Issue 3. A very short-sighted one. I just decided to resurrect it for fun.

Sailor-Earth13: With a certain blond bodyguard with skimpy dress sense joining the already explosive mix, there'll be more fireworks from Umeko.

Thank you for sticking with me so far and reviewing

SPOILERS for Volume 4! More Kenni-Sou interaction. Ryouma and gang make monkeys of the Shinsengumi. And someone puts up an ad. Tetsu watch out!

New Kyoto Post

Working for a Brighter Future!

Issue 21

SHINSENGUMI ROADBLOCKS FAILED!

Wanted Criminals Make Getaway

The Kyoto peacekeeping force has been caught napping on their feet after wanted criminals Sakamoto Ryouma and his men made it past their roadblocks. Our contact in the Satsuma region informed us that Sakamoto, in his telltale weird hat, was seen strolling through a town in the area, well beyond Shinsengumi reach.

Sources have it that Sakamoto and his fellow rebels made it past Shinsengumi roadblocks into Kyoto where they attended a private party in town at an unknown location. Then they made it out with the same ease as they had sneaked in with.

What made it so impossible to account for this slip-up of security was the fact that Sakamoto was in the company of a young woman of exotic coloring and a group of very rambunctious ronin. They were later seen celebrating their lucky escape from Kyoto at a wayside inn. They were joined by a very sober looking red-haired youth with a cross-scar on his left cheek.

Unfortunately for Satsuma police, the gang fled the inn by the time they arrived. Maybe someone at the Kyoto side looked the other way…

RIVER SMUGGLING MYSTERY

The Kyoto Merchants' Guild was puzzled when local authorities questioned them on the authenticity of a travel pass issued to a non-registered member. Everything seemed in order except for the fact that the merchant's boat was registered as stolen under the local river police files. Speculation is rife that these merchants were in fact smugglers and we wonder how the Shinsengumi men manning the river checkpoint on the day in question failed to uncover any contraband. The guild denied ever issuing the pass. It is believed to be a clever forgery.

NOTICE:

Umeko's Kitchen is temporary suspended as Umeko is ill with a bad cold. She's been throwing a bloody tantrum in her room since someone skipped town with someone. Thank Buddha I got her naginata away from her…

Hotaru, Editorial Assistant

Sake Shack Notice

The results are out! The Choushu rebels got away. Winners please come to collect at the Sake Shack tonight during the second watch. A friend promised he'll keep his unit away from us then. Hei-san, we will donate your winnings to the Mibu Orphanage as you requested.

Nagi

Personal Ad:

Hajime-san, my porridge isn't THAT bad… Quit disappearing whenever I call! - Tokio

Paid Ad:

Kenni! Do you have a death wish? You paraded in front of my patrol with a Choushu banner. Then you slashed our standards to rags while taunting us. Then you let us chase you into a dead end alley where you escaped via rooftop. You pulled the same stunt with Nagakura's men at the HQ gate. We had to divert three of our patrols from the roadblocks. We found you waiting for us at the bridge, still waving that banner… and you gleefully let us chase you through town while singing. You pulled the bloody thing not once, but twice! Is your master and teacher by any chance Sakamoto Ryouma?

What's this with the Umeya's Specialty candies you left on my table with the apology note… HELL! You were a decoy for your Choushu masters!Sou (coughs up blood from frustration)

Paid Ad:

Sou, by the time you read this, I'll be out of Kyoto. My sincerest apologies for the trouble I've caused you and your men. I will accept your invitation for a duel as made in that dead end alley that next time I am in town. Feed Saizou a carrot for me. Duty calls. Take care of your health please. Hope to see you soon. -Kenni

Advertisement:

Need a travel pass urgently? Need that letter of recommendation for a dream job? Sick of red tape? Knock on the second door on the left in the alley behind Miki's Brush-house. Customer satisfaction guaranteed.

Advertisement:

Need cannons, muskets and modern weapons? Contact us. Put your orders with the two spooky-eyed kids or the one-armed giant with the big blade. Or just tie your order to one of our roving black cats and we'll contact you.

Chief Executive S.

P.S. If you have any info on a redhead page in a Kyoto peacekeeping force, preferably how to totally make him suffer mentally and emotionally, pass it to us for a handsome reward.

EDITOR'S DESK: LATEST NOTICE

Due to the mass transfer of our editorial staff to our offices outside Kyoto, we regret to have to temporarily cease our publication. Chief Editor Ikeda Koji has also left for medical treatment in Nagasaki after several rather painful sessions at Kitsu-dono's failed to improve his back. Umeko-san's still a tad worked up over the fact that her crush was seen with a blond bimbo. However, the remaining staff of New Kyoto Post will be making arrangements for a management change. We are currently looking at an agreement with the Women's Association of Japan.

Nami, personal secretary to Umeko-san

P.S. Due to complaints about a certain lecher about Aoiya, the WAJ will be opening a self-defence class at Umeya. Women of all ages are welcome to sign up. Bare-hand combat and naginata handling will be taught. Hotaru-san has offered to give kunai-handling lessons as well.

URGENT NOTICE! Missing Person

Umeko has broken out of her room and was last seen running off in what she claims is the direction to Satsuma. Of course, that is the direction to the hills. Please, help us look for Umeko-san. Her direction sense is very appalling…

Umeko is a matron in her early forties. Short, very good figure with black hair. Last seen wearing Umeya's trademark pink and white floral print uniform. Armed with a naginata. Members of the Choushu are to be on the lookout for everyone's favorite Aunt Umeko.

Author's Notes:

(Historical Fact) First month of 1866, Ryouma and Katsura sneaked into Kyoto to for a very important meeting with their Satsuma counterpart. The Stacho Alliance was later formed between Saigo of the Satsuma and Katsura of the Choushu with the aid of Sakamoto.

I figured that they'll not be out of the woods yet, especially in Kyoto. So they'd probably sneak back out. Kenshin mocking the wolves? Sakamoto must have suggested that.