The nightlife soon begun for the crowds. People from all walks of life streamed along the streets; male and female prostitutes were literally put on display. They sat on the other end of a cage whilst men peered into the bar.
Of course, visitors were granted to stay a night or two within the brothel house for a pleasurable night.
"... I will have her!" Someone yelled to point at a pretty female.
The owner of the brothel entered the cage from inner to accompany a pretty whore assigned for the night. Before each man was allowed to pass into the building, weapons were frisked for safety purpose.
Geishas were able to roam freely unlike the "cursed" women. Most of the prostitutes were juvenile girls either bartered off to pay debts or sold off for hefty sums. Stories with different layers of bitter background.
Although they were taken care by their peers who shared the same destiny as them. Yet it was a rare case when a noble man fell in love for a prostitute to whisked away the lucky one from it's misery. And those with unfortunate fate passed on from the transmitted disease.
Hidden within the shadowy depths, vigilant sought the crowds with eagle eye so as no predicament arose in the bustle red light district.
Amidst the flock, a group of ragtag officers chose to spend their night for a round of alcohol. Each exhibited an aura of a precipice. Curious eyes from the side tracked them.
Weapons strapped to the side as a display of authority, the top dog of Shinsengumi had been requested from the Shogunate for a business affair.
Yoshiwara was a hot discussion amidst the Tokugawa Shogunate whereas Shinsegumi was assigned to assist the goverment. The watchful group observed several soldiers whom served under the Shogunate in the thick of both local and drifters.
All of a sudden, taiko drums emitted to filter the balmy eve.
Saito Hajime halted to peer over a shoulder to view the procession. Royal blue eyes spotted oirans in beautiful attire guarded by men. The entourage ambled in between the packed district and the play of flutes whistled hypnotically.
"Oi oi," Sanosuke grinned at the same time rested a hand on his right pectoral. "Look at all the beautiful women showing off just for us."
"This is an oiran dochu procession," Hajime corrected Sanosuke in a formal tone.
"Ease up, Saito," Shinpachi chided in a friendly banter. "Let us big boys dream a little."
"Don't forget why we are here," Souji remarked in a flippant manner.
The first captain, Okita Souji, sniffed disdain as both hands were shoved into billowy sleeves. Beside him, the vice commander agreed and ignored the festive atmosphere to order the rest to move on ahead.
The league of officers had taken several steps just as a piercing cry alerted the entire street. Their heads jerked toward the source of commotion as their trained body kicked into gear to calculate the situation.
In the middle of the band, a writhing geisha was in the clasped of a Shogunate soldier whom smirked at her.
"L-leave me, sir!" the woman wailed as she frantically wrenched at her dainty wrist clutched in the strong hand.
"What the hell?" Hijikata groused in frustration. "These bastard are always causing a problem."
"We must intervene quickly," Sanosuke nodded, the idea of a defenceless damsel tugged at his heartstrings.
"Someone is an absolute drunk," Souji pointed out, unison they changed the course of direction. "It'll be enjoyable to watch him receive punishment later on."
"You there!" Hijikata's imperative voice boomed across the sea of murmurs. "What is happening?"
The few soldiers shifted their gaze toward them. The troublemaker who generated all the unnecessary pandemonium swayed slightly on his feet, yet he never relinquished the pretty hostage.
"Who are you?" One of the drunkard's comrade questioned him.
"Toshizo Hijikata, vice commander of the Shinsengumi," Hijikata's voice brooked no argument.
Hajime's gaze wandered at the trio of men, the dimwitted acute tone indicated of sheer arrogance. Alcohol was the source to blame for their shameless behaviour.
"I said," the female seethed when their focal point was elsewhere. "Leave me alone!"
In flurry of agility, the geisha tugged at a hairpin stuck in her hefty wig, before anyone predicted the course of action, she had struck upon the befuddled captor. Blood spewed from his neck wound.
"What have you done?!" Shinpachi roared.
The remainder of the Shogunate soldiers gawked at the ghastly scene when more flutter of displacement ascended from the corner of Hajime's field of vision.
"STAND DOWN!" a man's voice ricocheted.
Frantic crowds were elbowed unceremoniously as dozens of men appeared out of nowhere; their expressions contorted in rage at the same time, katana clutched between their hands. It was illegal to carry weapons in Edo as of period.
Before Hajime and the other captains could react to the interchange, the other two soldiers were encircled by more newcomers. One of them had been tackled painfully on the ground.
A zori foot placed atop the back of the hunched soldier just as a sharp sword nestled behind his neck. The geisha was shoved aside whilst Hajime ogle the spray of blood coated on the woman's feature.
"S-STOP THIS NOW!" the third soldier yelled. "WE ARE THE OFFICIALS OF TOKUGAWA SHOGUNATE!"
"FUCK YOU!" a man with his foot on the other shot back. "THIS IS YOSHIWARA, YOU COME HERE AND LEAVE WITH NO TROUBLE OR ELSE, BEAR THE CONSEQUENCES!"
"I didn't know Yoshiwara has protection," Heisuke mused underneath his breath. "So why have the Shogunate sent a request for us?"
"What is going on?" a low voice broke across the spectators from behind.
Before Hajime gave a cursory glance backwards, a figure glide by in passivity. That person caught his attention by surprise; blonde hair in a messy bun as strands fringed her countenance.
A female ronin.
She continued forward to analyze the heated situation.
"This one messed with one of our geisha," the man who restrained his captive explained.
"Leader," another acknowledge her with a nod of acknowledgement. "Do you want us to punish them?"
"Wait," Hijikata intervened in a weary voice. "If any of you dare to touch the officials, more problem will arise."
Forest-green eyes finally pierced them; black kimono covered her lengthy frame although the hemline stopped mid calf. White gauze similar to Sanosuke and Souji's covered both the girl's forearms and calves.
But Hajime was caught off guard by the outlook roguish appearance; she almost attained his height.
He had never seen any other female closely resemble the opposite sex. Perhaps by the attitude on display or the mannerism she introduced herself. A hand casually leaned on the two weapons at the left side of her hip.
"Are these your people?" she interrogated Hijikata, an odd moment as in the custom vice versa.
"No," Hijikata crossed both arms to make clear he was not disconserted by the event. "But they belong to the Shogunate and we are the police force, Shinsengumi."
A moment of silence as the blonde haired ronin digested the vice commander's announcement. She tilted her head sideway and Hajime took in the form of her casual stance.
"The officials are planning to force authority on Yoshiwara," she informed casually. "What makes you think we will be lenient?"
"I am not in the mood to listen to your cries of unfairness," Hijikata answered in a mild voice. "But Edo is undergoing change and soon, ronins will also be flush out."
"Have you heard of the Amanozako?" her voice low yet rang with steel.
"Hijikata-san!" Heisuke gasped in realization. "They are gangsters!"
"I recall beheading one," Souji settle a hand on the hilt of his katana.
"Souji-san," Hajime frowned. "We are not here to pick a fight."
"Souji," Hijikata warned as well. "Do you want to add more stress on Kondou-san shoulders?"
"This district still belongs to us," she interrupted their midspeech. "When the time comes, you will see me standing at the front line. But for now, take your stray dogs before my men choose a method to deliver these fuckers to hell."
"You two!" Hijikata barked, the demon vice commander glowered furiously. "Get out of here, we already witnessed who insinuated the bedlam so don't even bother to put a twist on the story."
Finally, the gangster backed away to allow his custodian to falter on his wobbly feet. Everyone backed off when the female gazed at each one of the thugs.
"Inform Raiku-sama about this," she explained tersely. "Every detail and where is the geisha?"
Hajime followed after his team when they finally dispersed from the scene.
"This is a first for us," Sanosuke chuckled nonchalantly. "A girl leading a band of gangsters."
"Women are similar to flowers," Shinpachi took up the end of the conversation. "A fragile creature to be protected by strong men."
"Hajime-kun?" Souji jogged over beside him. "You had a strange expression earlier, care to share?"
But Hajime never took the bait; he tugged at the white scarf slightly higher on his chin. They had a mission on hand and centralized his introspection.
"Amanozako," Heisuke snorted as his bright eyes glittered in excitement. "I can beat the leader easily since she is a girl."
"Don't get your hopes up," Sanosuke mocked him. "We all know the result when Heisuke fought against our vice commander."
"It is all of your faults!" Heisuke shouted. "I was the last to be chosen and face against Hijikata-san!"
As they entered the vicinity of a teahouse, Hajime paused near the treshold to glance at the distance. But he was could not discern a black kimono anymore.
Note: I have added my own twist in the history. Because if I was to paste the actual fact then this book will turn into history lesson. Oiran dochu procession actually exist and it dates back to edo period. Also, Yoshiwara is guarded by Tokugawa Shogunate and whenever people enter, their weapons are kept at the gate. But I beg for your forgiveness for the inaccurate details and grammar mistakes