Vol. 3 Convenient Circumvention
-Mugen-
"There ain't no way in hell I'm wearing that stupid thing," I told the guy. We came to this stupid place the day before the wedding. Now I was staying at the magistrate's house. It made me a little nervous, what with the Shogunate probably still after us and all. I wasn't complaining, this place was crawling with fine lookin' hotties. The only thing was, they wanted me to wear some stupid uniform because they wanted the guards to look all alike. "I didn't ask for the damn job, and I'm telling you, that thing is ugly. Can't I just stay out of sight or sumthin'?"
"Fine!" the guy who hired me growled. Then he walked away pulling out his hair and sayin' something about not being able to find good help. My stomach growled and I remembered that I had plans to go get food.
"Yo!" I called to a girl walking by. "You know where I can get some grub?"
-Jin-
'This is not worth it,' I thought as I held the fabric up for the woman, whose name was Chiyo. We were at the magistrate's house fitting the guards for uniforms. I never wanted to see another naked man in my life. I didn't think that anyone would catch on to who I was, I had removed my glasses for the time being. I felt a painful prick in my hand.
"Pay attention Jin!" she chuckled. I squeezed my hand as the blood welled up a tiny bit. "If you don't want to get jabbed, then you should make sure you watch where the needle is."
"Mmm…" I said with a nod. A moment later a man stormed in the room. He was growling and mumbling incoherently. After taking a walk around the room, he came over to us.
"I can't believe this! The whole consistency of the wedding is destroyed!" he cried, exasperatedly.
"What is it?" Chiyo asked.
"Some hot-shot guard I hired refuses to wear the uniform. I can't fire him because we'd be a guard short."
Volunteering didn't even cross my mind. I didn't want to be anywhere near the government right now. Plus, I already owed my services to Chiyo. I had given my word. I only had until tomorrow before she paid me and I could be on my way. I didn't know where I would go next, but wherever it was I would need the money.
"There. Now we're done." Chiyo announced. "Now Jin, please get the rest of the material and head back to the house. I'll be there in just a minute. I'm going to see what I can't do about this rogue guard of ours."
I nodded and left quickly.
-Fuu-
I sat with a big sigh at one of the tables. It was almost time to close, and I was tired. I wished I could just go to bed now. The old lady who owned the place came in and looked around. There was no one in here except me.
"Why don't you turn in Fuu? There isn't anyone here," she said to me.
"Thank you," I sighed gratefully. I got up. Man was I sore. I went through the kitchen where the cook handed me an eel and rice bowl. "Oh, this looks delicious!" I heard the owner greet another customer, and I looked sadly down at my food. I was hungry, but I guessed I'd have to wait to eat. She came in a few seconds later. "You can still go home Fuu, it's just one customer. I can handle it."
"Really? Thank you," I said as I went up the back stairs.
I collapsed on the floor next to the table and started eating. When I was done I put on some tea. I looked to the window when I heard the door to the house next door slide shut. I thought about the wedding that would be happening tomorrow. It just wasn't fair. That magistrate shouldn't be able to bully the people of this village. But…if they didn't give up their daughters, then they would all be attacked. Some magistrate…
That got me thinking about the first day I met Jin and Mugen. I had saved their butts from the magistrate when they were about to get their heads cut off. They did get out a little bit by themselves, but it was me who set off the fireworks that caused a distraction so they could get away. Those guys…I wondered where they were again. A big part of me wished that I could see them again, but another knew that it was time for me to get on with my life. I couldn't very well spend my entire life walking around with two men. I had to get a man while my looks were still good. The thought of getting married and having kids was frightening. I didn't think that I would be ready for anything like that anytime soon.
-Mugen-
I waited for my food while I knocked back some sake. The lady who owned the place was serving me. She said that her waitresses had all gone home. One was here, but she was upstairs and asleep. Apparently she was a real cutie. Too bad. I heard a door close next door as the lady brought me my food. Usually I ate really fast, but I took my time tonight. I didn't really want to go back to the magistrate's, but I didn't have a choice if I wanted that five ryo. It would be the most money I had in a long time. This town was a bore, but after tomorrow, I could get my ass the hell out of here.
Another person came in and sat next to me. I went to look and was surprised when I saw that it was a broad. She was pretty good-lookin'. I didn't know what she wanted though. Maybe she was a workin'-girl. "Sorry lady, I don't have any money besides stuff for food." I couldn't believe that I was sayin' that. She laughed.
"That isn't what I want. I have a husband and a child."
"So what is it then?"
"You're one of the guards at the wedding tomorrow, right?"
I arched an eyebrow and nodded. "What of it?"
"I'm Chiyo, I'm doing the uniforms for tomorrow. I heard you disagree with them, but I was hoping that we couldn't compromise."
"Compromise?" I asked, confused.
"Maybe I could make you a custom one?"
"As long as I don't look stupid."