"Tsubasa-san, are you sure of what you saw last night?" Katsura asked Miryu the moment she told him that she saw Saito, whom she knew only as a member of the Shinsen-Gumi from his clothes.
"The man wore a green shirt with the word 'makoto' on it, how can he not be a member of the Shinsen-Gumi?" she answered. "Surprisingly, he looked more like a wolf than the other Miburo I've seen"
Katsura ignored her last sentence, but looked deep in thought. Of all the leaders of the Shinsen-Gumi's ten units, Reiyama Ryumiko, her sworn-brother and the child-prodigy friend of theirs are most alike a pack of wolves attacking together. The second one, according to others, is most alike a wolf in manner and in appearance… He kills without mercy that even Ryumiko is disgraced by the state of death of his victims.
Kenshin however, knew that Miryu would kill him if he butted into her affairs, and kept silent on the matter. He decided to change the subject. "What is our assignment tonight?" he asked. As much respect he had for Katsura, he did not like to be with those in power, living with the principles of the Hiten-Mitsurugi, he only wanted to be a free swordsman.
"Well, it's not that important that I would call it an assignment" Katsura said, his eyes gleaming with hope as he spoke to Kenshin.
"Then please refrain from calling us if it isn't" Kenshin replied coldly. Miryu gave an apologetic look to Katsura, who smiled in understanding. "Katsura-san, we've killed a hundred people each these past six months, no matter how we hide ourselves, the Bakafu will surely sense our presence. It won't be safe with me so close to the Choushu headquarters, since the Bakufu's forces are growing in power day by day, especially the Miburo" he continued.
"The Shinsen-Gumi…" Katsura murmured. Of course, they were the strongest defense organizations the Bakufu had, but will they ever be used as a weapon?
'We have not crossed swords yet" Kenshin added, "But they could be the Bakufu's strongest tool"
"Tsubasa-san whipped one of their captains, isn't it good enough?" asked one of Katsura's advisors.
"A whip may be used as a weapon, but it can never replace a true duel with the sword", Miryu said, "The Shinsen-Gumi captain I met, he was able to hide his Ki, he must be stronger than I know…"
"Then you must add caution, Tsubasa-san" Katsura said, "It is very dangerous for a young woman like you to walk alone without a chaperone these days, who knows what lies in the city"
"Thank you for your advice, Katsura-san"
"Well, now, I had actually called you here to discuss something" Katsura said, his voice formal as it was soft. "A secret council is to be held at a certain inn tonight, at the Gion Festival. Toshiwara-san and Miyabe-san are expected to attend"
Miryu kept silent. She, although more skilled than handling politicians than Kenshin did not want to take part in anything. Just like the latter and Hiko Seijurou, she just wanted to live in peace, and defend the oppressed, running down governments if she could, while living in the principles of the Hiten-Mitsurugi as one who is free to protect. "Do you need bodyguards?" she asked.
"No, I want the both of you to join me"
"I humbly decline" Kenshin said, "It would be better if a hitokiri stays away from all these political activities and remain in the shadows. If the peace we've all been fighting for will come as a result of this meeting, it will be enough for me"
"I agree with Kenshin" Miryu said, "Katsura-san, you must understand that the Bakufu will be hunting us both down by now, it would be a danger for you and Choushu to be near us outside the head-quarters"
The both of them bowed, and left together. As soon as they were out of earshot of Katsura, Miryu said to Kenshin, "I'm going to Shishou's place for some questions, make an excuse for me when Katsura-san asks where I've gone"
Before the red-headed hitokiri could say anything, she left in a hurry.
"What's gotten into her?" he asked himself.