Disclaimer: I do not own Peacemaker Kurogane or Ruronin Kenshin.
Maeko-Nohara: So nice of you to join in the reviews. I had loads of fun writing this fic and its Meiji era companion fic. (There's more of Hiko and Katsu in the companion fic). I don't really follow the events in the series that strictly. Some of the incidents are pure fiction. I do not know when Hei-san got killed, but I may write it in. Poor Tokio. But Saitou's not out of the woods yet. Thanks for providing the date.
M.Kasshouku: Tokio can do more than send a hitokiri after her runaway groom. After all, her pa's a leading bakufu official.
SailorEarth13: Aspiring spy Saitou will have a complication with his mission. The complication is feisty and of noble blood. Tokio will still get her wolf. Okita has other commitments at the moment. His cousin problems will sort themselves out. Sooner or later.
Swirly: Nice of you to join us for more wackiness. More of Kenshin…
More Saitou and Tokio. Is their wedding really off? And Kenshin's back in town! Lost cats again? Someone's too trigger, I mean, spear-happy. Read on.
New Kyoto Post
Working for a Brighter Future!
Issue 25
Editor's Desk
We apologize for the delay in our publication due to certain management problems. Nami and Hotaru had a bit of a quarrel over whether further credit should be extended to a certain customer during my illness. They suffered numerous cuts and bruises in the ensuing cat-fight but are on their way to recovery. I beg for your understanding and patience. Do continue to support us. - Interim Editor, Umeko (Okita, please remember to pick up the tab for your wolf friends.)
ANNOUNCEMENT
I, Takagi Tokio, hereby break off my engagement to Saitou Hajime. I am not going to put up with this even for the good of the Takagi clan as I have my own honor to consider. Feel free to disown me if you wish, father. Note, Saitou-san, I am ditching you this time! We're through!
Don't think of sending Souji-chan to plead for my forgiveness. Souji-chan, the fake blood was a nice touch. You always were a malingerer, since you came to live with us at age six! If I see you coming on Hajime's behalf, you'll have to answer to my naginata. Baka Miburou.
I also condemn my brother for weaseling off with my wedding funds to pay for his Shimabara Boys' Teahouse entertainments! Souji-chan, if he harasses you again, you can ask Hijikata-san to help. Or just zan him yourself!
Damages Awarded to Aoiya
Local family restaurant Aoiya claimed an unspecified amount of damages against the Shinsengumi after a waitress was wounded when an overzealous Capt. Harada of the Tenth Patrol threw a spear at her. It was understood the woman was doing a night-late delivery using a short-cut route over the rooftops at the time of the incident. The identity of the waitress has been withheld. The incident was ruled an accident.
Sure, and they still have not paid our candy delivery-girl's medical fees after the same captain nearly killed her the other day with his spear… OKITA! We're not home-delivering your candies any more! Not until your friend restrains himself.
(Hotaru: Umeko-san…)
LATEST NEWS: Daimyo of Aizu visits Kyoto
The Daimyo of Aizu, Lord Takagi, has honored our fair city with a visit. His palanquin was seen stopping before the infamous Boys' Teahouse in Shimabara where his enraged lordship collected his wastrel son. Lord Takagi Junior was caught red-handed in the futon with a minor by his sire.
It was understood that the young man was to act as his sister's chaperon in Kyoto as Lady Takagi Tokio prepares for her wedding to a certain Shinsengumi captain. The wedding has been postponed continuously over the last three years.
The daimyo's men later interrupted a women association meeting to collect his daughter. Lady Tokio was found sewing baby blankets. Certain reliable sources have it that in the past month after her near-wedding, she has been displaying the classic signs of morning sickness. She has also purchased a cradle. Her father insisted that she return to the family estate in Aizu after spending an ungodly time running wild in Kyoto.
A local medium, named Fujita Goro, has also been summoned to the daimyo's estate. When cornered at the Soba Place, Fujita-san tried to resist but went pale and left with them after being shown that baby blanket with the wolf print design.
BACK-STREET GRADUATION
A strange graduation ceremony took place in the wee morning hours outside Kyoto morgue. Well-known back-street physician Kitsu-dono bid a fond farewell to twenty of her students, both male and female after they completed their two week course. It is understood that the male medical professionals will be leaving for active service with a military organization.
The ceremony was rudely interrupted by the arrival of a corpse and Kitsu-dono had to resume her regular duties at the morgue. However, Kitsu-dono assures everyone that her students are every bit as good as those physicians working for the bakufu, maybe even better trained.
Red and Black Ladies Club: Yamazaki-san, you really messed up that op. Saw your patient at Kitsu-dono's morgue.
Umeko's Kitchen
Yes, I've recovered from my illness and am fully capable of answering your letters.
Dear Umeko-san,
Our friend just left us. We were the Comedian Trio, for crying out loud. How can we be a trio with just the two of us?
Comedian Trio minus One
Dear Three minus One,
I suggest a name change. Something like the Comedian Duo?
Umeko
Dear Umeko-san,
I have been waiting to hear the goods news concerning my little girl's marriage for three (beep) years! As I am a busy man, I have left the preparations in my son's capable hands. He keeps reassuring me that the preparations just need more money, which I NEVER begrudged him. It's all for my precious baby's big day…
Busy Father
Dear Busy-san,
It's time you really consider taking time off work and checking on your offspring.
Umeko
Personal Ad:
Tokio, please don't be rash! According to someone I had a nice long chat with last night, I heard that Hajime's serious about you… well he better be… He's simply away on official business and intends to fully do his duty by you.
– Souji (cough, cough)
Reply to posted ad on notice board:
Referring to Ad "Lost black cat with pink ribbon collar and bell", I apologize profoundly for you loss. My young charge was practicing her kunai throwing skills and nailed your pet.
Shinomori (very satisfied guest of Aoiya. You must try their ramen supreme! And their udon is simply divine!)
Personal Ad:
We NEED a better messaging system. Your black cats are not that foolproof! I've lost five already! Why don't I send one of my trusted men down to your place with the messages? - Itou
(Saitou! where's the man gone?)
Personal Ad:
Sou. If you are sure you're up to it in your state, meet me at Umeya at lunchtime. Umeko-dono has baked her special cookies and I'll like you to sample them over a cup of green tea as we discuss some poetry.
Personal Ad:
Ken-san! Secured a morgue cart from Kitsu-dono's place. Awaiting further instructions from you though I can't figure you samurai types out. You guys get along so well and you both want to duel to the death? – Sagara S.
P.S. Umeko-dono requests that you do not duel in her restaurant.
Advertisement:
Kitsu-dono's morgue clinic now offers abortion services for those sorely regretted mistakes. Someone has been a very bad boy. Right, Hijikata? Or was it Hajime? My old woman's memory fails me… Now who was it who was caught? Must be Hijikata. He's the skirt-chaser…
Author's Notes:
I don't know when Saitou got married. This version of a wedding is a pure fabrication not based on history. I let Sagara and Kenshin be on very good terms with each other. Sagara did have the ability of commanding respect and I gather from Kenshin's words to Sano ten years later that he respected Sagara as well.
Kitsu-dono can't resist taking a whack at Hijikata-san. Someone better face his responsibility…