Elvengirl: Alright...getting back into my order, and hopefully weekly updates.
Sain: It's unknown how long that will last.
Elvengirl: True enough. Now it's time for the usual what's up in Elvengirl's life.
-Still working on G-project. Still on chapter two. I knew it was gonna be long...but this long? And I still have a giant battle to write.
-Still obsessing over Final Fantasy Seven. Mostly Sephiroth.
-Naraku has returned on Inuyasha, and this has made elvengirl very happy. The reapperence was brief, but worth it. I was almost in tears.
-I'm learning stage combat in drama. How to fight with staffs and swords. It's alot of fun.
Sain: Remind me not to preform with you.
Elvengirl: Heheh. Yeah, that's about it. I've seen the ending proper of .hack/sign, which was awesome. Yes, it's led to a new fanfic idea, but more about that later. Time for the fic.
Disclaimer: Don't own Kenshin, or Fe...still
Cast:
Tsukioka Tsunan (Katsuhiko): Eliwood.
Sagara Hector, first born son of a farmer in Shinshu in the first year of Manen. Ran away from home to join the Sekiho Army at age nine with his best friend Eliwood. Revered Sagara Oswin as a master, but Oswin was unjustly executed, and the Sekiho army crumbles. After that he becomes "Zanza" the Fight Merchant, passing his days in meaningless combat. Having lost to Himura Karel in combat, Hector began to frequent the Kamiya Dojo, currently living a career-free life at his own pace.
"Nishiki paintings?"
"Yes. The gallery is getting some new ones, but the artist is so popular that they sell out really quick," Rebecca replied to Hector's outburst, "and we can't get out of work right now."
"So you want me to go buy them for you," Hector finished her thought through a mouthful of food.
"If it's not to much trouble..." Rebecca smiled.
"Well, why me and not Guy?" Hector asked, taking another bite of stew.
"Because some of us work for a living!" Guy yelled from the other end of the Akabeko.
"He heard?" The Akabeko was crowded, so Hector wondered how Guy heard him, "Well, alot of my meals have been your treat, so fine, I'll get your paintings," Hector began to get up.
"I put those meals on your tab," snorted Rebecca, "It's no treat."
"You know I'll never pay," Hector laughed, heading out. He stopped and turned around, "So what one do you want?"
"The Swordsman, Iba Hachiro, by Tsukioka Tsunan," Rebecca blushed.
"Alright...oh, did you want something Florina?" Hector looked down at the young girl.
"Well...um...it's just...it's nothing really..."Florina looked away, her face bright red.
"I'm off to get those paintings then. Is two enough?"
"Hector's no average guy," remarked one of his friends as they watched him leave.
"Mm," Rebecca nodded in agreement, "and he doens't pay his bills like one either."
Coloured engraved prints, "Nishiki-E" are also called "Edo-E" (Edo paintings) During the Edo era, theatrical scenes were the main subject, but with the Meijii era, there came more variety, and they became more popular with the public. Today, they serve as great sources of insite to day-to-day Meijii life.
Hector approached the small artist's stall, slightly embarressed. It was a busy street and the last thing he needed was for someone he knew to see him.
"Hector!" came a familier voice. Hector cringed. It was Karel and Lyn.
"Oh, hey you two," Hector said through gritted teeth.
"Buying paintings? That's a surprise," said Karel.
"For a lady perhaps," Lyn teased. Karel knudged his friend with his elbow. Hector glared and hit Karel on the head, leaving a bump.
"I'm doing a favour for Rebecca at the Akabeko and THAT'S it!" he growled.
"Oh," Karel replied, holding his head.
"Hey, d'you have two Ibahachi's by Tsukioka Tsunan?" Hector asked the Vendor.
"Ibahachi by Tsunan...you're in luck. These are my last two. It'll be ten sen for both," the vendor smiled. Hector looked at Lyn.
"I seem t'be out of cash. Think you can spot me?" he asked. Lyn glared at him and got out her purse reluctantly. Rebecca was going to owe her one.
"Wow, Nishiki paintings show alot of stuff," said Karel, glancing around the stall, "There's even things from the Revolution."
"Yeah..." Hector agreed, until one painting distracted him. He picked it up. It was a picture of Sagara Oswin, holding a sword. A young boy with short red hair stood on one side holding a rifle. On the other side was a young boy with short blue hair, looking similar to Hector, holding a sword. "Captain Oswin..."
"That's the one subject of Tsukioka that never sells, but he keeps painting the leader of the false revolutionary army."
Karel and Lyn gasped. Hector's eyes gleamed.
"This Tsukioka guy, where does he live?" Hector asked, an edge in his voice.
"The long houses in the next town over," the vendor muttered quickly, fearful for what Hector might do to him, "But he doesn't usually like to see people."
"He will," said Hector, walking away, "There is no way he will not see me."
Karel and Lyn exchanged glances, deciding to follow Hector.
"Tsukioka-san! Tsukioka-san! Are you in there?" Hector knocked heavily on the door of the small house. He stood in a deserted street, a row of houses on either side. After about five minutes with no answer, Hector sighed and took a breath.
"Former Sekiho Army Cadet, Tsukioka...Tsukioka Eliwood! Are you there!" Hector yelled, banging on the door so hard he almost knocked it over. A surprised man opened the door. He was abit shorter than Hector, with short red hair, held back by a bandana. He wore simple peasent clothing, with a heavy blanket over his shoulders. His eyes were a faded blue and widened at the sight of Hector.
"Hector..." he said in disbelife, "How did you..."
Hector held up the painting of Oswin.
"It was easy. You stood by the captain to," Hector grinned, "No one else would paint this, Eliwood."
"I suppose not," Eliwood gave a slight smile, moving to let Hector in, "So how did you survive?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
"So the artist is also a Sekiho survivor," said Lyn, from her and Karel's hiding place at the end of the street. Karel turned to go, "Hey, Karel, where are you going? Shouldn't we say hello?"
"We followed, thinking him to be upset, but there's no problem. The Sekiho Army is a powerful memory for Hector, and in the world of old memories, there's no room for visitors." Karel waited for Lyn to catch up, then they continued back to Kamiya Dojo.
"So Marcus went crooked. I'm sorry to hear that," Eliwood looked away. Hector sighed.
"I'm sorry I was so blunt. I didn't think I'd ever see you again. Although, it's not surprising that you became an artist. I mean, you were always good with your hands, mixing gun powder and stuff."
"So what are you doing now?"
"Freeloading mostly, but I'm pretty happy doing it," Hector smiled, taking a drink of sake.
"I haven't been happy once these past tne years. I can't recall laughing or smiling, not until I saw you. I've spent the decade despising and cursing those who framed Captain Oswin."
"Geez, you're even more depressing now than you were back then," remarked Hector, sensing a dark cloud in the room. "Still, I know how you feel."
"To meet you again, on the day I've finished preparing. This has to be the Captain's work from the other side." Eliwood's eyes shone with a grim light.
"Eliwood?"
"Hector, will you make the Sekiho army with me once again?" Eliwood asked, his voice no more than a whisper. Hector gasped. Eliwood's voice grew in volume, "We'll destroy the Ishin Government and build a new world, of Captain Oswin's dreams."
"Eliwood, what are you thinking? Are you nuts?"
"The Sekiho army still stands for something, Hector. A world of equality between the four classes. We must crush the Meijii government."
" Have you been withdrawn so much that you didn't know about the Seinan war? The best Satsuma warriors of the revolution only lasted a year and a half," Hector protested.
"Saigo Takimori was a fool. He raised his army at a remote edge of Japan. My target is here, in the center of Tokyo. I will shut down the department of Internal Affairs, the heart of the government. If I wanted to, I could also attack the navy, army, and the ministry of finance as well, but I can't do that alone."
"Alone?" Now Hector was confused.
"I devised this plan alone. How can I trust anyone again?" Eliwood got up and crossed the room, to a nearby closet. He opened it. "Even alone, however, I have these. They're grenades."
Hector gaspe. The closet was full if them. He was convinced now. Eliwood had gone mad.
"I've taken caution. Left no trail. No one would imagine an artist making such things. If we destroy each of the government headquarters one-by-one, the opressed farmers and samurai will rise up in revolt. The Government is still weak from the Seinan War, so they won't stand a chance. It will fall, and we will build a new world of true equality in the name of Captain Oswin."
Hector remained silent, not knowing what to say.
"I've obtained a layout of the department of internal affairs. The date is tommorrow, with a new moon and it being a Sunday, there will be few people out. Hector, if you're living happily, I won't force you into this, but I'm acting with or without you. As ex-Sekiho...as a friend, I hope you'll join me. Give me an answer by tommorrow night."
Hector took that as his cue to leave. He walked home through the dark night, his head reeling. It was impossible. What Eliwood was planning was impossible. Despite the Seinan war, the Government wasn't so weak that it would fall for petty revolts and bombs.
"He's so lost in the past that he's blinded himself to the flow of time," Hector sighed, realising that what he had just said was incrediably poetic. He was spending to much time around Karel. He stopped on a bridge and looked up at the stars. "Ten years...a long time to lose oneself." Hector shivered, "Cold...it's spring, but such a chill wind blows."
"What! You knew Tsukioka Tsunan from the old days?" Lyn and Karel chorused, feigning surprise. Guy walked past them with an odd look on his face.
"Why am I not surprised you're not surprised?" Hector asked rhetorically.
"What do you mean? Of course we're surprised, aren't we Lyn?" Karel nudged her slightly.
"We sure are Karel," Lyn grinned, playing along.
"Alright then. Look, we want to celebrate the reunion big time, so can we rent the dojo tonight?"
"Alright," Lyn started, "But where are you going to get the...YOU ARE NOT MOOCHING OFF ME!" Lyn brandished her shinai with a glare.
"Hey," Hector backed up, away from Lyn's shinai, "relax. I'll take care of the money,okay? Okay, thanks. And could you invite Rebecca and Florina?" Hector left. They all stared after him.
"Wierd...he's acting weird!" Lyn grabbed Karel's shoulders and began shaking him in a panic. "D'you think he's sick? What is this?"
"Well, it is spring," suggested Guy. Lyn let go of Karel, who fell to the ground.
"Oro?" Karel moaned as he got up, watching Hector leave. Something was up with him, but what?
"All right! Let's get this thing started!" Hector grinned. It was evening and time for the party. The small group gathered around the plates of food and bottles of sake.
"So "take care of the money" really meant "mooch off Tsukioka-san" right?" Lyn snorted.
"Nothing to worry. Like they say, "What's mine is mine, and what's yours is also mine" or was it..."
"Hector," Karel sighed.
"Whatever," Hector dropped the subject, "Just eat and drink until you collapse!"
They did so. Rebecca and Lyn were having a good time. Florina debated over wethere or not she should have a cup of sake, while guy learned what happened when you had to much. Eliwood drew portraits of Florina and Rebecca, and Karel and Hector had a drinking contest. Slowly the night drew to a close. The empty plates lay everywhere across the dojo floor. Guy lay prostrate on the ground snoring soundly. Lyn was nearby, also asleep, clearly dreaming of Karel with a blush on her face. Rebecca and Florina slept up against a wall. Karel slept against the opposite wall.
"Shall we get going?" asked Hector, back to back with Eliwood.
"That was your last dinner. Did you enjoy it?"
"No way. I had this party as a thank you. I've made Rebecca treat me alot at the Akabeko. How about you?"
"Not at all," Eliwood sighed.
"Gloomy to the last."
"Are you sure about this Hector?" Eliwood asked his friend one last time.
"If I ain't sure of it, I don't do it," Hector replied.
"You've restorted the Sekiho to life. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Now we should hurry, otherwise the sun will rise." Eliwood headed out the door. Hector began to follow, then stopped and turned around. He glanced around the dojo. At Guy. At Lyn. At Karel.
"Sorry Guys," he murmered, "But the Sekiho Army means to much to me. Karel, when we next meet, I'll be a good and proper outlaw. I won't even complain when you beat me down with your reverse blade wo dao." With that, Hector left. It was time to get to work. Soon after Hector left, Karel opened his eyes and stood up, staring at the door. He had to stop Hector.
Three hours later:
Blending into the darkness of a new-moon night, two men of the former Sekiho Army first unit made their appearence before the Department of Internal Affairs, the core of the Meijii Government.
Eliwood and Hector glanced up at the building that was thier target. Both faces were set in grim determination. A chill wind blew through the air with a high pitched wail.
"It's time," said Eliwood.
"Let's go," said Hector.
The first grenade was cast.
"What was that?" asked a gaurd, after the explosion.
"Are we under attack?" asked another, as a hail of explosions hit them.
"There must be several of them!"
"Quick! To the main gate!"
"Wicks of different length on each bomb? Clever way to space out the timing," Hector commented as they ran through the smoke and confusion.
"We have to get inside the building before the police come back, then Internal Affairs will be crippled."
"Straight through the yard without stopping then?" asked Hector as they approached the wall that blocked off the courtyard. Eliwood whipped around, giving Hector a boost up to the top of the wall. Once there, Hector proceeded to aid Eliwood. Eliwood climbed up and stopped.
"Huh? What are you looking at?" inquired Hector, before turning around himself and taking a sharp breath. Karel stood in the courtyard, glaring up at the both of them.
"He made it here before us," Eliwood whispered, "Who is that man?"
"The man who was once known as the Sword Demon, Himura Karel," Hecto answered in the same quiet voice. Eliwood's eyes widened, and he jumped down nimbly from the wall.
"I see, the legendary Sword Demon. So you've come to take Hector back?"
"No. Hector left of his own accord. This one has come to prevent the villany you are about to commit."
"Ishin Shishi patriots! Standing in our way again. Well," Eliwood brought out two grenades and lit them,"This time I will not lose! Catch!" Eliwood through the two grenades at Karel, who drew his sword, slicing off the wicks, rendering them useless.
"You Patriot!" muttered Eliwood, attacking with a barage.
"Yes, and because of that your stupidity cannot go unanswered!" Karel continued to slice the wicks off the grenades.
"What would you know of it!" Eliwood yelled.
"Enough." Hector grabbed Eliwood's wrist.
"Hector!" Eliwood protested.
"We can't beat him like this. Plus the police'll catch onto us soon. Forgive me." Hector punched Eliwood in the gut, hard.
"Hec...tor..."
"Sorry I had to bother you Karel," said Hector, supporting the unconcious Eliwood. Karel shrugged, indicating that it was no big deal. "Karel, if I'd have kept going with him, would you have stopped me?"
"Of course. No bailing out on friends. No mercy either," Karel smiled.
"Thanks."
"Wh-where...This is...my own room," Eliwood woke up and sat upright, ignoring the pain in his side. He stared, stupified, at the empty closet.
"Karel took all the grenaded...gonna bury 'em so no one can find 'em," Hector explained.
"Curse him...that idiot patriot," Eliwood muttered, an edge in his voice.
"It's not like that," Hector replied, his voice even, "Karel doesn't like the government any mroe than we do. Probably even less 'cause he helped make it."
"Don't toy with me. How can a hitokiri-"
"He knows, Eliwood. He moved in the shadows of the revolution, doing dirty deeds, starting with murder. Because of that, he couldn't watch us do the same, not without intervening. Eliwood, Captain Oswin told us that the Sekiho did bad things to, but do you think he wanted that? The army lived by the ideals of a class-less equality. We can't disgrace that now." Hector stood up to leave.
"It makes no difference ! We must do whatever it takes, use whatever means possible to accomplish our goal!" Eliwood glared at Hector, who looked away disgusted.
"If we do that, then we'll truly become the false revolutionary army. I'm not sinking to the government's level, I'm just slowly doin' what I can to make the captain smile from the other side." Hector left, shutteing the door behind him, leaving Eliwood to contemplate, alone.
A few days later...
"How's Tsukioka Tsunan these days?" asked Karel, as he and Hector walked down the crowded street.
"Dunno," Hector replied, chewing on a fishbone, "After the way we parted, I haven't been able to bring myself to go see 'im."
"Hey! It's you from the other day!" came a voice. Hector and Karel looked over. It was the painting vendor, "Tsukioka-san wanted me to give something to you." The Vendor rumaged around in his stall before coming up with a painting. "His final painting. He's gonna publish a newspaper broadcasting the government's wrong-doings. I think he'll get in trouble, but, what can you do?"
"Sorry about that, old man," said Hector, smiling at the painting in his hands. It was Oswin, smiling. Hector blinked back tears.
"Tsunan's last work? Give it to me!" yelled Rebecca bolting from the Akabeko.
"You can't have it!" Hector yelled back, holding it out of her reach.
"Rebecca-san," Karel sighed. At least life was back to normal.
Elvengirl: Yes...all that stuff is done, and now the Kyoto arc can officailly begin.
Sain: It's about time.
Elvengirl: I know. So, do I have any last guesses for Saitou and the others before my epic begins? Let me know, via review.
Review responses:
Nightmare3: Thanks. There's about three more chapters to Kenshin vs. Saitou, which happens to be my favorite fight in Kenshin. I just hope I do it justice. Oh, and welcome back.
Authorofthedark:I'm honoured to be your number one author...and I'm glad my advice was helpful.
Wandering Cat: Yay, someone else who likes the manga. Weasel Scythe? Hehe...I to find that amusing. I can give you a summery of the Kyoto arc...or you can just read along. I'm gonna be adding a few things so it'll be slightly different. Still, thanks for your continued support.
Elvengirl: Well then, until next time.
Next Time: The Wolf Strikes. Part one.