The next day, Katsura left, but Ikumatsu had stayed behind. She haddecided to takeon the job to train Kenko to appear to be a normal young woman in society during the day, as there was no point in her staying indoors fro the restof her life. As Kenko seemed to be changing from the violence she was subjected to, she personally felt that she needed to help her. The men who stayed at the inn could little to lighten her mood, since they were too terrified to speak to her.
"Oh, Himura-chan – look! This kimono would look great on you!" She exclaimed as they walked down one of the busy streets of Kyoto. She herself was wearing a blue kimono with darker patterns of various flowers arranged on it, with a pink obi sash tied up normally behind her back. Because of her profession, she would usually have the knot in front, as most geisha and courtesans do. But the Bakumatsu was also bringing with it change, and many women like her would wear the knot behind when in public. She herself only wore the knot in front in Katsura's home by habit. Turning to her young companion, she silently cursed at how the girl could look good in anything thrown on her.
Kenko was wearing a light yellow kimono that Aya, a worker at the Kohagi Inn, had lent her, with a green obi. Her red hair was hanging loose around her face and down her back, and the scar on her face had a liberal amount of Ikumatsu's foundation covering it. Luckily it had seemed to stop bleeding – the fact that it hadn't even had a proper scab grow over it had been worrying her. She noticed the older woman looking at her and sighed quietly. Although she didn't deserve to, she almost enjoyed her time with Ikumatsu, as it was the only time she could be with another woman – Okami-san, Aya and the other girl Miyuki were always working to feed the hungry Choushuu men. But she failed to see how a woman could be so interested in such petty things as clothes, especially as the infuriating things were so constricting. The first thing she would do when they got back to the inn was cut the damn thing off, if she couldn't get the obi undone quickly enough. Also, in such a getup, she could only carry a tantou as a weapon inside the knot, and such a blade would do little should something happen.
Realising the woman was now enthralled by a dark blue kimono, she was about to ask why it was any importance when the purpose of clothing was only to protect a person from the cold, when a noise caught her ears. Or rather, the lack of noise. Turning around, she saw people nudging each other and looking down the road. Seeing what was startling them, her eyes narrowed. Grabbing hold of Ikumatsu's arm, she pulled her into the shadow of a nearby building. Ignoring the woman's questioning words, she waited until they came into sight.
The blue coats of the Shinsen Gumi filled the street as they waltzed their way through (1). They were proud of the fact they could get the whole street to clear before them, due to their reputation as the Mibu Wolves, and were happy to use it to get through parts of Kyoto quickly. Near the end of the procession was a tall man. His long black hair was tied back, but several strands had managed to slip out its hold – as they always did – and swung gently in front of his sharp features as he walked. Not interested in the conversation happening between the other men, he was looking around at the frozen crowd, bored. Something catching his eye in a shadow of a building, he looked and saw two women standing back, one holding a hand to her face. But she couldn't mask the fierce eyes she hid behind it. A growl rose in his throat, and his own eyes narrowed.
The young man walking next to him noticed. Raising his smiling face, he asked. "What's wrong, Saitou-san?"
"I smell blood, Okita." was the gruff reply.
A confused look crossed Okita's face as he sniffed the air. "Huh? I would understand if you said you could smell 'hakubai-ko', but blood…" the look was quickly replaced with his usual smile, "It must be your warlord working overtime, Saitou-san. After all, you have killed many men recently." He looked up as the tall man said his name. "Yes, Saitou-san?"
"Choose your words as though your life depended on pleasing me."
Mouthing the words the gruff man said so often, he laughed. "Hai, hai…"
As the wolves slinked through to the end of the street, Kenko stepped back out to watch them. Slowly, the people thawed out, and by the time Ikumatsu had come out, they were back into their usual routine.
"They were… the Shinsen Gumi?" the older woman asked. She nodded, her eyes still narrowed. "Katsura was telling me about them. They look as scary as they sounded…"
Someone stepped up to them – it was Iizuka. His expression was similar to Kenko's as he uncrossed his arms. "Look at them, like they own the street. It's disgusting."
His hand moved next to Kenko's, and as they brushed together he slipped a black envelope in her sleeve. It was such a small and practiced movement that no one on the street would have noticed. However, on the other side of the road, two black eyes saw the movement and now watched the red-haired girl's darkening face.
"You're on tonight," Iizuka muttered into her ear, pulling his hand back. As she nodded, he frowned lightly, and sniffed the air. "What's that smell?"
Ikumatsu's face lit up. "Oh – so you noticed? It's 'hakubai-ko'. I'm made Himura-chan put it on this morning – isn't it nice?"
A smirk played across the man's face. "'White plum', eh? That's a pretty sensual scent. I'm surprised you got it on her. Not meaning to scare you, kid," he nudged Kenko lightly with his elbow, "But I'd wash that scent off before you get back home. Most of the men haven't seen you wearing a kimono – they might think you're visiting from one of the Gion houses..."
While Kenko fumed silently at Iizuka's teasing, Ikumatsu looked around the busy street. One wouldn't have been able to guess that a whole gang of men that were feared had just walked through. Before turning back to her companions, a set of eyes caught her attention. They were watching the discourse between Kenko and Katsura's field-man, and belonged to a young man leaning against a wall. He was of average height, and was wearing an indigo uwagi over an off-white gi and sea-green hakama. His jet-black hair was tied back, with thick locks covering his just as black eyes. All in all, Ikumatsu concluded with true geisha flair, he was very cute.
Looking up from Kenko, the young man saw the older woman watching him and blushed slightly, turning his face away quickly. Smiling, Ikumatsu gently interrupted the argument going on between the others by tapping Kenko on the shoulder. "Ne, Himura-chan – look across the road." Frowning slightly, the girl asked her why. "That man wearing the indigo uwagi – he was looking at you! And he's good-looking too – you get all the luck!"
Not sure how to reply, Kenko slowly turned to look at the person Ikumatsu was referring to. There certainly was a man wearing an indigo uwagi, but he wasn't looking at her. And as for good-looking… Kenko's face went blank, as she realised she didn't know what made a person good-looking.
Seeing the man's head slowly turn back her way, she quickly looked away, ignoring Iizuka and Ikumatsu's bantering comments about him. Iizuka then quickly excused himself, pausing to whisper to Kenko, "I'll see you afterwards…" After watching him walk away, she snuck a look over to where the man was standing. He wasn't there anymore.
"Mou, he's gone…" she jumped as the older woman's voice broke through her thoughts. Looking at her, she saw she was also looking to where he once was. "There goes a charming opportunity…"
Raising an eyebrow, Kenko commented, "Oh… is Katsura-san boring you, Matsu-san?"
"… Nani? Oh, come on, Himura-chan – you know I was kidding…" Ikumatsu scolded jokingly, gently hitting the girl over the head. "Never doubt my loyalty to Katsura. Now, are you sure you're not interested in this kimono?" Expecting the negative reply, she took hold of her hand and led her towards a noodle stall. "Well then, let's get something to eat. I'm hungry enough to eat anything, even if it's something that our dear Katsura's made…"
Later that afternoon, the two women were sitting in a sake bar not too far from the Kohagi Inn. Kenko had developed a habit of coming to the bar whenever she had an assignment. At first it was to settle her nerves when she first started out, but these days the sake had no affect to her, except to deaden any feelings that might arise after a kill. However, in the presence of company, as she was today, it seemed to lose some of its bloody taste.
Ikumatsu and Kenko had stopped talking for a while, both lost in their own thoughts. Kenko could guess that the other woman's thoughts involved Katsura, clothes and gossip. Her own thoughts, unfortunately, weren't as innocent. They were milling over the assignment she had later that night.
"Ooh – I don't believe it!" Ikumatsu exclaimed suddenly, quickly throwing a hand over her mouth. Having caught Kenko's attention, she indicated with her eyes across the room. Following them, Kenko's own narrowed as they saw the man who was watching her earlier that day. He had several empty bottles of sake in front of him, and was in the process of ordering another one.
'Bloody drunkard, that'd be right,' she scoffed silently. A glint near his legs caught her eye, and looking down, saw an expensive-looking katana leaning against the table he was sitting at. She didn't remember him wearing swords when she saw him earlier that day, and as far as she could tell now, he wasn't wearing a wakazashi in his belt. Confused, she didn't realise until too late that the man was looking in her direction. Embarrassed for being caught looking at him, she gave him a quick glare before turning back to Ikumatsu.
Pouring herself a last cup of sake, she ignored the woman's comments. "Wow, I think he might like you, Himura-chan. I mean, sure – it could just be coincidence that he's in the same bar as us right now, but it's just as likely that he's following you! You're lucky that he's a cute guy – usually the one's that follow you are stupid, fat slobs who have nothing better to do than perve…"
After downing the sake in one gulp – and receiving whistles of admiration from around the bar – Kenko stood up quickly and bowed slightly to her companion. "I'm sorry, Matsu-san, but I must get back to the inn. I need to change for tonight." Not looking at the confused look on Ikumatsu's face, she walked towards the door, going past the young man on the way. He had his head down and was apparently looking into his cup, but Kenko could feel his eyes on her as she slipped through the door.
A partly waxing moon was surrounded by dark clouds, which blocked out any stars that may have been in the sky. A slightly balding man was crossing a bridge, his mind full of thoughts. Being a supporter of the Bakufu was becoming harder every passing week – the infuriating Ishin Shishi were somehow managing to knock off important members of the Shogunate's divisions with that rumoured Hitokiri Battousai. And personally, he wondered if he was important enough for the rebels to want him dead. He certainly thought so – with all that he had invested into Lord Masahiro's interests (2). He'd done about as much as the late Shigekura, and since he had been assassinated, it would almost seem insulting if they didn't try to take care of him. Halfway across the bridge, he paused and leaned on the railing. What was he thinking – did he really want to be killed? Of course not! He had a family to take care of. So why would he care whether he was a large enough contributor to the Shogunate to be wanted dead or not? He frowned, not happy where his thoughts were going. Still, he wouldn't mind having a bodyguard – just in case. He would ask one of Lord Masahiro's men in the next few days.
Only that he would never get the chance.
He froze when he felt a killer's ki behind him, and turned slowly as a soft but cold voice murmured, "Amano Masaki, I am here to deliver Heaven's Justice…" He saw that the voice belonged only to a child with red hair, but the eyes belonged to a demon. However, his face didn't even have time to show surprise as the sword in its hand swung up to cut him apart.
Blood dripped down into the river below as the Battousai walked away from the body that hung over the railing, holding its hand to its burning cheek.
"Oi, kid!" Iizuka's voice rang out as Kenko walked along the path parallel to the river. She slowed down slightly so he could catch up. "You're good, but lately you've been absolutely incredible! You're actually getting better at it…"
Frowning slightly, her cold voice asked, "What do you mean?"
"You don't even give them a chance to scream anymore…" Glancing the girl over, he noticed she was holding her hand to her cheek. "Oi, what's wrong?"
Slowing to a halt, she watched as Iizuka moved to her side and look out to the river's opposite bank. She also turned, and pulled her hand away. A long, bloody line stained her hand. The cut still hadn't healed.
Seeing her expression, Iizuka commented, "There's a superstition, you know…" When she looked up, he continued, "If a wound is made by the sword of someone with a strong hatred, it will not heal until revenge has been executed. That bodyguard you hacked up must be seeking revenge now, which would be why you have that line of blood on your palm." Seeing alarm cross the girl's face, he could help but add, "It may never heal…"
Looking back at her hand, Kenko's mind was working overtime. "That can't be… how could it?" she muttered, the colour in her eyes wavering. She could feel her barriers between her true self and the cold Battousai start to crumble. She wasn't used to breaking out of her Battousai persona this quickly – she was worried that her mind might react to her own blood, so she quickly rubbed her hand on her sleeve.
A noise caused her to glance back at Iizuka – he was holding back a chuckle. "Calm down, kid. Only old ladies believe in that nonsense." Lifting his hand to his mouth, he covered a yawn. "Well, I'd best get back to the inn – Katagai's due back. I'll see you there…"
Shifting the swords in his belt, he started back down the path, leaving the girl to ponder over what he had said.
In the washroom, Kenko was standing stiffly, slowly cleaning her hands. She was still wearing her uniform gi, and even through there was no blood on it except what she'd rubbed on the sleeve, she couldn't wait to get out of it. The smell of her own seemed to be filling the whole room. A noise at the door caused her to raise her head slightly, but she kept watching her hands wash themselves.
"You still washin' up, Himura?" Iizuka's voice sounded slightly amused, but then, it always did. After a few moments of silence, he continued, "Well, Katagai has returned – and it sounds like that meeting did not go as Katsura had hoped."
Kenko's hands stopped.
"Miyabe's group is planning something big, something that Katsura obviously is against. Apparently, the talks got so heated that he almost drew his sword." Iizuka paused as he saw the words sink into the girl. She and he both knew the promise their leader had made with Takasugi.
"It must be something horrible, then," Kenko mused, her hands moving the edge of the bucket she was washing up in. "It will not end peacefully."
Watching the girl throw the water away, he rubbed the stubble on his chin. "Well, that's an understatement…"
Drying her hands, Kenko was about to leave, when Iizuka put his hand on her shoulder. She turned to look at him, curious. "Y'know, about that 'hakubai-ko' you were wearing today…" he started off, not quite making eye contact. She crossed her arms, not sure she was liking where this was going.
Fixing his eyes on hers, he continued with a completely straight face, "If you were after some, all you had to do was ask. I'm sure most of the men here wouldn't mind helping you… and as for myself, well… I'm always here for ya." He found it hard to keep his face straight as the girl reacted just as he hoped. Her face went from blank confusion, to slowly darker and more incensed. He couldn't hold it any more. A wide grin broke out on his face, and it was all he could do to not laugh out loud. It was bad enough teasing the Ishin Shishi's hitokiri, but to laugh outright at her… that would be taking a risk with your life.
Realising Iizuka was only teasing her, Kenko's body relaxed slightly. Her eyes, however, remained ablaze. He only shrugged, patted her shoulder and said, "G'night, kid. Don't take things so seriously," and left her in the washroom's doorway.
The moment he had left the room, Kenko started breathing again. Looking down to her hands, she saw they were shaking slightly. 'Damn Iizuka,' she cursed silently, her hands tightening into fists. Once she had calmed down, she sighed and went up to her room, deciding to wash her clothes the next day.
Notes:
(1) Shinsen Gumi – these guys are cool, even if they're the bad guys. They're a sort of army for the Shogunate, and are well known for their light blue coats. During the Bakumatsu, they were basically given the powers of the police force (ie arrest and execution on the spot whenever they so desired). Throughout Kyoto, different districts had their loyalties in different areas – either the Ishin Shishi rebels or the Shogunate – but all sides could be seen shaking if a bloodstained pack of 'wolves' went through their street. The members of the Shinsen Gumi were well known for having one attack they perfected for a one-shot kill, and also for the horizontal thrust. Okita Souzou was a real person, and was the leader of the First Squadron, and Saitou Hajime the leader of the Third Squadron. I'm pretty sure he was a real person too, but unlike in the RK manga/anime, he died in the last battles of the revolution. Also (I know I'm not up to it yet, but I'm on a roll, here), Saitou's version of the parallel thrust, the left-handed Gatotsu, isn't a real attack, but it looks cool. I mean, half of Kenshin's attacks are impossible, and the other half almost unconceivable.
(2) Abe Masahiro – well, he's not a real person, but so you know, in this story he's one of the Shogun's advisors, and might be mentioned again (in one of Kenko's memories…), maybe not... dunno
Oh, and also – I made up the bit of the uniform. As far as I know, only the Shinsen Gumi had anything close to a uniform with their jackets. But for future reference, Choushuu uniform is navy gi, Satsuma is pale green, and S/G is light blue with white triangles (I have one! I LOVE IT!)… I reckon it just makes it kinda easier to figure out who's on whose side (as do many people in their fanfics).
Translations:
chan – an honorific suffix used between family and very close friends.
san – like above, but more formal (i.e. Mr, Mrs). Also, the name 'Okami' is actually the name for the profession of an inn's owner if she's a woman.
Tantou - a dagger or sorts, often carried by women for protection
Uwagi – a coat
Geisha - i'll assume you at least know what that is... i probably should have used courtesan there, but I like Matsu-chan too much, so I made her a geisha instead
Hakubai-ko – white plum scent. I had Iizuka say 'white plum' just so those who didn't know wouldn't be in the dark.
Ne – at the front of a sentence, it means 'hey/look/listen/etc…' and at the end of a sentence (… ne?), it's like saying 'isn't it/don't you agree/right?'
Mou –aww, darn (a mild curse)
Nani – what?
Ki – a person's spirit, aura… although, usually it refers to a person's fighting spirit…