Author-chan's notes: Hiya everyone! Here is the omake for the Kyoto Arc. Like with the previous omake, there might be time jumps in between omake, but I'll tell you when they happen.
Since Revenge Arc is more of a serious Arc than the others, I decided to underline that with a liberal sprinkling of serious omake. But don't worry for all you comedy fans! There are still going to be plenty of those. If you want to know the difference, comedy omake have an "a.k.a." subtitle. Serious ones don't have a subtitle at all. Each omake is ended with some author notes, usually clearing up some of the references made in each particular omake.
Like Father Like Son
(Chapter Thirty-three: Omake- Kyoto Arc)
Prisoner (a.k.a. Cruel and Unusual Punishment Is Fun!)
Time jump: Two months since Kyoto Arc…August 1904
Sai and Chou made a good team, despite the fact that they got on each other's nerves. While they were different enough that they complemented each other, they also had plenty of things in common. The most obvious trait that they shared was that they were both former criminals. Though of course Chou argued he was the better (or was it worse?) one since he had been a henchman of a madman trying to take over the country while Sai was only the henchman of a pathetic wannabe yakuza boss/thief. The two cops were obsessive over their respective weapons. Chou's obsession was obvious, but if you pulled back a hidden panel in Sai's small apartment you would reveal a small shrine to Sai's collection of Smith and Wesson firearms. They also liked stealing stuff (even though Chou's thievery was usually solely focused on blades). Many a day a fellow officer discovered something from their office missing. But no worries, they knew who to beat the crap out of (I mean, ask). Sai and Chou both liked bumming over at the Kamiya dojo every night for dinner. While Kenji couldn't cook to save his life, his son Kenichi was a master chef, despite he was only nine.
The two officers also shared one other trait.
They liked torturing people they didn't like.
So, after their little visit to Kyoto, they were most pleased when the chief of police decided that (at least of a little while) they would be in charge of feeding the prisoners.
And even luckier for them, Hamano Genji was one of their happy little prisoners they had to visit each day.
Genji was one of the people they hated most. They also shared a reason for why they hated Genji.
The idiot had tried to kidnap Kenichi twice.
And no one was ever, ever allowed to harm the person who cooked their dinner each night. Damn it, but that kid made the best tempura, onigiri, and soba in the world.
And everyone knew that Sai at least was a slave to soba.
As a result, before heading off to the Kamiya dojo for a tasty meal each day, the two criminals-cum-cops tortured the poor former yakuza boss.
And Genji torture was most painful since Sai knew Genji's weakness.
"Come on Genji-chan," Sai giggled maliciously while waving a pair of chopsticks, "Eat your vegetables!"
"Noooooooooooo!" Genji screamed, "Anything but that! Kill me! Kill me please!"
"I don't think he's had enough," Chou said maliciously, "And we still have another couple of hours till we gotta be at the dojo. Hand me the peas, would ya Sai?"
"Sure thing, Boss Broom."
"No, no! Not the peas! NOT THE PEAS!"
"Red's going to come over tomorrow with some daikon," Sai grinned his evil grin, "And he said he's going to cook it himself! Remember the last time he cooked? It was all burnt and cindery, and gave you food poisoning for a month. And that was his carrots! He's better at cooking carrots than daikon. And all that burnt evil demonic daikon is all for you, Genji-chan! Aren't you lucky?"
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"Quick! Shove peas in his mouth!"
Sai and Chou were doing their jobs to the letter. They were feeding the prisoners. They just happened to have the luck that Genji had a phobia of feeding time. Never mind that Chou and Sai helped develop that phobia by feeding Genji (the poor SOB) a certain Himura Kenji's experiments in the kitchen.
Kenichi tried, really, but he couldn't teach Kenji to cook any more than Kenshin could teach Kaoru.
Luckily for Genji, Sai and Chou had yet to get their hands on Chizuru's cooking. At least Kenji knew better than to add the mushrooms that grew under the engawa to any meal.
…Those last ten times didn't count.
One sometimes had to wonder if the Meiji government had a law against torturing criminals with something as bad as Kenji's cooking. Didn't Sakamoto Ryouma try to fight against cruel and unusual punishment back when he was alive? Well, if there was a law, Chou and Sai didn't care. They broke the law often enough.
"Okay, Genji-chan, feeding time is over," Sai sighed almost regretfully as they let the prisoner slump onto the floor of his cell.
"But don't worry, we'll be back," Chou grinned madly, "I think Kenji-han was planning on trying out pickling techniques along with his daikon dish."
"P-Pickles?" Genji squeaked comically as he tried not to faint.
"You're getting senile in your old age, Boss Broom!" Sai snorted, "Red said he wanted to try frying fish, not making pickles."
"Ya sure?" Chou blinked, "I was sure he was asking something about pickles."
There was a moment of silence.
"You don't think?" Sai blinked. Chou shrugged.
"Ya never know with Kenji-han," the older cop replied. Sai grinned evilly.
"Well, at least Red has someone to test his, er, odd experiments on, ne, Genji-chan?" Sai grinned at the green-faced yakuza as the young cop slapped Genji on the back.
Thunk! Genji fainted dead away, his stomach and mind rebelling at the very idea.
"Not bad," Chou nodded as he flipped open a watch, "It only took ten minutes for Genji to faint this time."
"Aww…" Sai pouted insincerely, "I was aiming for five!"
In the next couple of cells over, the other captured criminals shivered in fear as they heard the screams from their fellow inmate. Cops were scary, especially those two.
"So Boss Broom, who's next to be fed?"
Owari: Prisoner (a.k.a. Cruel and Unusual Punishment Is Fun!)
Author-chan's notes: Do you think I was a little harsh on Genji? Smirks evilly
For those who don't know, Sakamoto Ryouma was a Revolutionary from Tosa during the Bakumatsu. He was well known to have been very accepting of Western ideas and he also helped convince his fellow Revolutionaries to be more accepting to the West. He was assassinated during the Bakumatsu. After Katsura Kogoro, he's my favorite (historical) Ishin Shishi member. Fans of Peacemaker Kurogane should recognize Ryouma as the gun-toting, cowboy-hat-wearing, US-national-anthem-singing, weirdo with dreadlocks. (I wuv Ryouma! glomp)
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Reminisce
Time Jump: three months from Kyoto Arc…September 1904
Spirit World
Yukishiro Tomoe was worried. Very worried. It had been two months since the fiasco in Kyoto and her brother's ghost had yet to be seen.
Yes, she knew that it was possible that he could have moved on to a higher plane of existence already without becoming a ghost, but still…He had been murdered, and most murder victims spend at least a little bit of time as a ghost before moving on to wherever they were supposed to go.
Tomoe bit her lip. Her brother wouldn't have gone to hell, would he? But then again, he spent a good quarter of a century atoning for his crimes. Enishi had reformed. She doubted he would have been condemned to eternal suffering. Kenshin hadn't, so it was unlikely that Enishi would have been given such a terrible fate.
"Tomoe?"
"Oh, anata," Tomoe greeted as Kiyosato shimmered into view.
"Is there something the matter?" Kiyosato asked, sitting down next to his beloved.
"Iie," Tomoe lied.
"It's Enishi, isn't it?" Kiyosato asked. Tomoe nodded once.
"Where could he be, Akira?" Tomoe asked softly, "I…"
"You wanted to see him again, ne?"
"Hai."
"Don't fret, Tomoe-chan," Kiyosato soothed, giving his wife a one armed hug, "Everything will be alright."
"I hope so," Tomoe murmured, "But the future seems so uncertain."
"Hn," Kiyosato nodded, "Do you remember Akimoto-san?"
"Enishi's employee?" Tomoe clarified, "Or should I say, adopted daughter?"
"Yes, her," Kiyosato nodded, "Do you know what happened to her?"
"I haven't kept track," Tomoe confessed.
"The girl has been missing," Kiyosato elaborated, "I can't find her. But someone has been running your brother's network. I'm assuming it is her."
"Yes," Tomoe nodded, "I hope the poor dear is alright. She has gone through too much in her young life."
"All of us have," Kiyosato murmured, "Everything will be alright."
"How are you sure?"
"Because we have to be," Kiyosato answered, "Our end is near. Soon, all our unfinished business will be done."
"I hope so," Tomoe whispered, "He is the last for all of us, isn't he?"
"Himura-san?" Kiyosato clarified, "Hai, he is the last for all of us. Even Hideki-san tied up all of his business save for Himura-san."
"Kenshin has no idea, does he?" Tomoe murmured, leaning back against Kiyosato.
Kiyosato murmured, "Do you think we should tell him?"
"Iie," Tomoe murmured, "He'll only feel more guilt."
"He would, wouldn't he," Kiyosato reflected, "To know that you are the sole reason why hundreds of cursed spirits still wander the earth…yes, he would feel guilty."
"Cursed spirits," Tomoe intoned, as if quoting from a book, "Blessed or cursed with great power, in particular the coveted ability to contact the living. However, they are bound to their creator, their killer, for all eternity, until their murderer achieves Enlightenment and True Rest."
"No wonder Himura-san had so many nightmares before," Kiyosato chuckled without humor, "So many souls bound to his…It is a wonder he didn't fall deeper into depression and kill himself. We're lucky. If he had killed himself, we would all be stuck here with no way out."
"We have Kaoru-chan to thank for that," Tomoe smiled her rare smile, "She saved him."
"Aa," Kiyosato smiled, "We should do something for the two of them."
"Kaoru-chan has been sighing over how she doesn't get enough alone time with Kenshin," Tomoe said thoughtfully, "You don't suppose…"
"Himura-san is too young," Kiyosato snorted, "Or at least his body is. It would be…difficult."
"Children grow," Tomoe said, a hint of mischief coloring her voice, "We can plan until then. The two of them deserve a magical wedding anniversary."
"Better call in Kaito then," Kiyosato sighed, "The poor wretch would love to be part of your schemes."
The two ghosts chuckled briefly, thinking of the looks on certain people's faces. As the soft sounds slowly died off, Tomoe's face turned serious, pensive.
"Is there something wrong?" Kiyosato asked of his wife.
"Have you heard the news on the recent war?" Tomoe murmured, changing the subject.
"The one with China?" Kiyosato asked, thinking back to 1895.
"That was nine years ago," Tomoe said shaking her head, "I mean the one with Russia."
"The government is getting greedy for war," Kiyosato snorted, "Haven't they learned war is only pain and bloodshed? Not glory? I would think they would have learned after the Bakumatsu."
"Kenshin doesn't talk about it, but I can see he is troubled by the direction the country is going," Tomoe murmured, "He reads the papers, he hears the whispered talk the 'adults' try to shield him from. Sometimes, the fear in his eyes is so tangible…And weapons nowadays are different from the swords Kenshin is used to. Before we know it, entire towns will be destroyed with a single weapon. No wonder Kenshin is worried. The government tried to get him involved in China before he died, remember?"
"Thank goodness he died before it became a full fledged war over there," Kiyosato snorted, "Knowing the government, they would have tried to rope him into the fight, regardless of his health. Bastards. No better than the corrupt government they claimed they overthrew."
"I am glad that Kenji-kun wasn't dragged into either one of those wars," Tomoe murmured, "His father helped him, even though he doesn't know it."
"You know something I don't know, do you?" Kiyosato asked, raising an eyebrow, "I always did wonder why Kenji-kun never got drafted. Or Yahiko or Sanosuke for that matter."
"Remember when Yamagata Arimoto-san convinced Kenshin to go to China and inspire the troops before his death?" Tomoe elaborated, "During his talks with him, Kenshin cut a deal with the government. In exchange for his help, none of his family was to be dragged into the wars if they did not wish it. Yamagata-san was smart enough (and kind enough) to understand that when Kenshin meant family, he meant all of those close to him."
"Which would explain why Yahiko and Sanosuke were not roped into the government's messes," Kiyosato mused, "Impressive. Even when he was sick and dying, Himura-san was determined to protect those he cared about…Even though they never knew it."
"Kenshin is still worrying about it though," Tomoe sighed, "He worries about the government and his family. He knows Yamagata-san's promise will not last forever. He'll worry himself to death if he could."
"His family, I understand, but he shouldn't worry about the government anymore," Kiyosato muttered, "They certainly didn't care for him. When they weren't using him, they were trying to kill him. Himura-san should just let the government rot."
"It will rot regardless," Tomoe shrugged, "In the walls of the Kamiya dojo, I see the Japan that should have been, the country where the strong protect the weak. But as soon as I am away from that place and all of its inhabitants, I am forced to see Japan as it is. The country will kill itself before too long, even if so far they have been victorious on the battlefield. All that victory will go to their heads…"
"At least no one we know has been sent away to fight in Russia or China," Kiyosato murmured.
"Not so," Tomoe countered, "Saito."
"Saito?" Kiyosato blinked, "I thought Saito-san gave up on the government long ago. And isn't he too old to be fighting? Last I heard he was working at that women's school."
"He is," Tomoe nodded, "But his eldest is fighting in Russia."
"Tokio must be frantic," Kiyosato observed, "And no wonder Okita-san has been mentioning how much Saito-san has been on edge lately."
"Okita-san has been keeping an eye on Tsutomu," Tomoe said, "He'll make sure that his friend's son won't come to harm."
"Tsutomu must be furious that Okita-san is there though," Tomoe's first love grinned, "Tsutomu never liked us ghosts. One of the PBKB should probably go with Okita-san, just in case Tsutomu forgets himself and tries to banish poor Okita."
There was silence then.
"Do you truly believe everything will be alright?" Tomoe asked, looking up at Kiyosato, her eyes worried, "The country, the government, what's happening to Kenshin…Will everything be alright in the end?"
"It has to be, love," Kiyosato murmured, "It has to be…"
Owari: Reminisce
Author-chan's notes: Of all the omake here, "Reminisce" is the one that is the one most qualified to being a filler. It is a lead up to the over all Revenge Arc, and the importance of the PBKB besides providing comic relief. This omake touches on what has been happening in the rest of Japan in history during the fic (as well as why our loveable characters haven't been touched too strongly by the historical events happening around them). Japan is slowly stretching its power across its borders during this time. The two wars I am referring to are the Sino-Japanese War (the war with China), which lasted from 1894-1895, so right during the Tokyo Arc, and the Russo-Japanese War (the war with Russia), which lasted from 1904-1905, which is during the Kyoto Arc. Since the author notes are getting a bit long, I won't elaborate more on these two wars. Just search the Web. And yes, I know I'm being bad and I'm having Tomoe and Kiyosato sort of dance around foreshadowing Japan's involvement with WWI and WWII. I'm sorry, I can't help it…
Saito fans (like myself) should recognize Tsutomu as Saito's eldest child who was born in 1876. I wrote another omake on Tsutomu (and his brother Tatsuo). That omake (titled "Sons") is on my deviantArt page, which is listed as my homepage on my profile. And, as the story mentions, by 1904 (when the fic is taking places) Saito has already left his police officer job as well as his job at the museum and is now working at a women's college. (Tokio worked at the same college if anyone wants to know.)
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Reflections
Time Jump: Two years since Kyoto Arc…May 1906
Akimoto could scarcely believe it had been only two years since Yukishiro-sama's death. It seemed like a lifetime ago…
She kept up Enishi's information network, continuing to improve and strengthen it. Sometimes, she anonymously gave information to the police. Always, she wrote down information in a careful hand to keep as records.
Sometimes, she was forced to give information to a certain Seta Seishiro.
How she hated Seishiro. Seishiro had helped kill Yukishiro-sama. Akimoto wasn't stupid. She was able to figure it out after a few days. He also was the one who landed her in her current predicament, working for an organization she wanted no part of. All she wanted to do was keep Yukishiro-sama's legacy alive, but instead, she was forced to work for the organization that Seishiro bowed to. She hated the organization as well, despite the fact that her abilities allowed her to rise among the ranks to be among one of the top operatives. She hated that.
She hated Seishiro. She hated everything about him. From what he did to how he smiled. She hated how he always tried to cheer her up, insisting he escort her to festivals or cook her dinner. He treated her kindly and warmly as if she was a friend or family, even though the white-haired girl continued to give him a cold shoulder.
She especially hated it when she found herself enjoying his company.
Nearly every night she cried herself to sleep, knowing that she was aiding an organization that went against everything she believed in. She cried at the fact that she was slowly starting to forget things about Yukishiro-sama.
It was little things, but still important.
She forgot what he smelled like. It had been such a comforting smell…Like that of her father or grandfather (both, long dead) or something…
She forgot the way he walked. She couldn't remember the rhythm of his movements, when before she could pick it out among hundreds of footsteps.
She forgot the exact shade of turquoise his eyes were. Was it lighter or darker? She couldn't remember exactly.
She forgot the sound of his laughter. While she could remember Yukishiro-sama's voice, she couldn't remember his laughter. Yes, it was true that Yukishiro-sama barely laughed, but still, it was strange…
But she could remember how Seishiro smelled like. He smelled like sugar and warm chocolate, just like his favorite candy stores.
But she could remember the way Seishiro walked. He walked with a slight skip in his step, like a child, but with deadly grace and speed when in battle.
But she could remember Seishiro's eyes. They were aquamarine, with a sparkling starburst of sky-blue in the center. They were normally bright and happy, but would turn stormy and unreadable in a fight.
But she could remember Seishiro's laughter. It wasn't hard, since he laughed often, unlike Yukishiro-sama. Seishiro's laughter was bright and pretty, like bubbles and rainbows.
Akimoto hated Seishiro.
He was always around. He was always the one who would come to see her, to check up on her, and occasionally give her an assignment from Enma-sama. Enma-sama didn't send Akimoto off on missions often since she was much more useful gathering information.
Seishiro was the assassin, not her.
While Akimoto hated Seishiro, it seemed that Seishiro liked her.
Which only made Akimoto hate him more.
He always made it a point to get her something from his trips. Candy usually, but sometimes hairpins, ribbons, or kimono.
In defiance of Seishiro, Akimoto had continued to cut her hair and dress like a boy, wearing stiff Western shirts and pants constantly, some being the old clothes that Yukishiro-sama himself had worn, re-hemmed to fit her shorter, thinner frame.
However, Seishiro never seemed to mind that she never wore any of his gifts. It never stopped him from getting them for her. And at least he knew that she ate some of his candies. Akimoto had a large enough sweet-tooth that she wouldn't turn down the morsels.
Seishiro never told Akimoto, but she could see it in his eyes. His eyes would darken slightly whenever he saw her in shirt and pants rather than the silk kimono he had purchased for her. His smiling lips faltered, just for a moment, when he noticed that the jewels and woven gold he gave her were not around her neck, on her hands, nor twisted in her pale locks. It disappointed him, but he never told, instead telling her cheerfully about his travels, his family, anything at all. Anything except for the next job she would have to do for the organization. That information, he handed to her in a letter.
Seishiro would never tell her. He would never admit to wanting to see a certain gold necklace around her throat or a certain jade comb in her hair. And he never dare tell her that he wanted desperately (hopelessly, almost) to see her slim form wrapped up in silk and embroidery that he had bought her.
And Akimoto never told him either.
She had never thrown away any of his gifts.
Owari: Reflections
Author-chan's notes: Yes, I know, bad A-chan! If anyone noticed, the titles "Reminisce" and "Reflections" of the last two omake refer to the names of the two RK OAVs. (For those who don't know, the original name of Trust and Betrayal in Japanese is translated into Reminisce, I believe.) Heh…I'm already naming Arcs after the original Arcs. And since omake are almost OAVs why not give at least two of the omake the names of the original OAVs?
Anyway, if anyone has objections to the whole Seishiro/Akimoto thing, tough luck, deal. I have my reasons.
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Ninja (a.k.a. Sai and Michiyo in Love? NOT!)
Time Jump: Three years since Kyoto Arc…October 1907
Fujiwara Sai, former thief/kidnapper and current cop/torturer, was nervous.
Very nervous.
For today was his date with a certain Shinomori Michiyo. After meeting the kunoichi daughter of the Okashira of the Oniwabanshu three years ago, it had been love at first sight.
For Sai, anyway.
For years, Michiyo scorned Sai's advancements and proclamations of love. And her family too, did not approve of him. Whenever Sai tried to visit the Aoiya (a.k.a. sneak into, because the doors tended to be barred against him) he would be thrown out, his body riddled with kodachi and kunai wounds to the point it was a wonder that he wasn't a cadaver.
But Sai did not despair. He loved Michiyo and would do anything for her.
Too bad he said that to every girl named Michiyo he met.
But Shinomori Michiyo was different! When he said he loved her, he meant it! And yet, she was the only Michiyo that ever refused him.
Never mind that the only other Michiyo he had ever met was a prostitute whose only concern was money. She gave him a discounted rate since he was a regular.
But the point was, that Shinomori Michiyo constantly played hard to get.
Just because Sai confused her for that other Michiyo that one time…
Still, after three years of pining away, Shinomori Michiyo finally decided to let Fujiwara Sai take her out on a date.
Michiyo just wanted Sai to shut up, for once.
So as it was, Sai was taking Michiyo out for a date. First would be a quiet dinner, followed by an entertaining kabuki play. Sai was positive that she would be pleased.
Provided she didn't discover that the tickets for the play were scalped.
Anyway, moving on…
But still, he was nervous, like a schoolboy with a crush.
Under the suggestion of Chou, Sai's Boss Broom, the dark-haired former thief had gotten a new outfit to impress Michiyo with. Instead of his rumpled modified police uniform, Sai was decked out in Western style dark gray trousers, a sky colored button up shirt, a royal blue vest, and a dark gray coat. All of his clothes had cleaned and pressed to perfection. Chou even let Sai "borrow" a silver watch to complete the outfit.
Of course Chou didn't know that Sai was "borrowing" it, but that was beside the point.
Carefully checking his clothing one last time, Sai knocked on the doors of the Aoiya.
"Fujiwara Sai," came the cold greeting as the doors slid open.
"Good evening, Shinomori-sa-sama," Sai gulped, staring into the icy eyes of the infamous kodachi wielding Okashira, Shinomori Aoshi, himself.
"While my daughter is old enough to take care of herself, let me make one thing clear," Aoshi intoned, his gaze boring holes into Sai's flesh, "Do anything inappropriate, then I will make you beg for death. Understand?"
"Y-Yes, sir!" Sai squeaked, feeling like he wanted to burry himself into the ground and die. Sai knew plenty about torture techniques; he used them all the time himself. But he knew that Shinomori Aoshi was his superior when it came to torture.
And those creepy icy eyes were promising something much worse than death.
"Good," Aoshi nodded, "Michiyo, Fujiwara-san is here to see you."
"Good evening, Fujiwara-san," Michiyo said as she stepped forward.
"Ah, good evening, Michiyo-chan," Sai blushed. Aoshi glared at the police officer for using his daughter's name in such a friendly manner, but simply closed the door behind Michiyo to leave the two alone.
Sai stared at the woman, a slightly perverted smile on his face. Michiyo was dressed in a bright red kimono with a green obi that complemented her eyes. Golden designs were subtly embroidered on the collar and hem of the kimono, as well as along the obi. Her hair was done up beautifully with golden pins with jade accents.
She was simply breathtaking.
Michiyo too looked her date up and down, sizing him up like an opponent.
Sai didn't realize it, but he had already made his first mistake of the evening. The couple looked terrible together! He had a blue and silver theme while Michiyo wore a red and gold theme. Too opposite to match, and not opposite enough to complement. Not to mention he was in Western clothing while she sported a Japanese kimono. And that shade of blue was horrible for his complexion. The gray of his jacket and pants make him look sickly. And his black shoes ruined the outfit. With his eyes he should have gone for more green or brown shades. And his hair was a mess. He should have combed it if he was going to dress up so nicely.
The kunoichi, being an amateur fashion designer, took note of it all, but Michiyo, being kind, did not say anything at all.
However, she was tempted to use her mother's kunai to cut that perverted smile off his face.
"Shall we go?" Sai blushed, offering Michiyo his arm. She took it carefully making sure his hands stayed in the appropriate places.
"Where are we going to go for dinner?" Michiyo asked.
"You'll see," Sai grinned, mischievously, hoping to win some points from the ninja, "It's close by."
When the two finally reached their destination, Michiyo frowned.
"A soba stall?" she said dryly.
"While it can't beat Kenichi-kun's, this place has the best soba in Kyoto!" Sai grinned, taking a seat. Michiyo simply sighed.
As dinner progressed, Sai noticed how saddened his date was. He was confused. Did she have a belly ache or something?
Well, then again, Michiyo was getting a bit sick of the smoke that her date was puffing out from his cigarette. It was as if he was a damned smoke stack or something.
Bah. If he died from that infernal smoke, then it was his fault.
"Oi, kid," a familiar voice of the soba stall owner grunted as he handed Sai a slip of paper, "Here."
Blinking, Sai unfolded the note, carefully keeping the image of Michiyo picking at her noodles in the corner of his eye.
Ahou-
Shinomori lives at the Aoiya, which is known to serve good food. She wouldn't want cheap soba! And who the hell goes out to soba for a date?
Besides you, because you are an idiot.
And put that damned smoke stick out!
-Chou
"Aw, hell," Sai muttered, feeling like banging his head against the ground. The soba stall owner snorted in agreement. Sai glared at the man, now recognizing Chou behind the careful disguise.
Damn it, but Sai was supposed to be the master of disguise, not Chou! Wait…was Chou using oil to get his hair to hang down like that? And please don't say that Chou had used that candle wax trick to make it look like he had scars. Sai quickly made a mental note to hide his translations of Sherlock Holmes from Boss Broom from now on.
"What is your favorite food, Michiyo-chan?" Sai asked, trying to salvage the dinner. He quickly put out his cigarette.
"Well, I like sukiyaki…" the kunoichi murmured.
"Then we should go to the Shirobeko!" Sai suggested brightly, mentioning a famous sukiyaki restaurant in the area.
"It's alright," Michiyo sighed, looking downcast, "I'm already full of soba."
"Do you like soba?" Sai asked hopefully.
"Not really," she confessed, "It's very bland."
"Told ya," Chou's voice muttered quietly. Sai growled.
"Well, let's go to the kabuki theater!" Sai said brightly, "It's nice outside so we can enjoy the weather…"
BOOM! Suddenly, it began to rain, complete with thunder and lightning.
"KUSO!"
Quickly, Chou scribbled something down on paper to hand to Sai.
You did give her something like flowers, right?
Sai cursed again and quickly lit up another cigarette.
Owari: Ninja (a.k.a. Sai and Michiyo in Love? NOT!)
Author-chan's notes: Yes, I know that omake had no real purpose other than to make Sai look like a fool. Fans of RK's Kyoto Arc should recognize the Shirobeko, the Kyoto equivalent to the Akabeko which is run by Tae's twin sister Sae.
And yes, Sai is a closet Sherlock Holmes fan. One of the Sherlock Holmes' adventures had a mention of using candle wax to create the illusion of scars (I think). I don't remember which one. (It's been awhile since I read Holmes.) The Sherlock Holmes stories were first published periodically between the years 1887-1925. For the sake of the story, let's pretend that the story I am referring to was published in the correct time frame. (BTW, this omake was set in 1907.) If anyone is wondering how the heck Sai got his hands on Sherlock Holmes, may I remind you that Sai is A) a former thief with connections to the black market, including the foreign sector and B) he is well versed in several languages, including English. If I have made a boo-boo on the whole Sherlock Holmes thing, consider it artistic license.
Author-chan's notes: Okay, this is the last of the omake I'm putting here. There are a few on my deviantArt page (which is listed as my homepage on my profile) that are floating around. And no worries, the next chapter (and the official start of the Revenge Arc) should be coming soon. It's already finished and just needs some minor tweaking.