Chapter 3- An Offer She Couldn't Refuse
Matako stood outside the empty inn. Her mind darted back and forth from wondering what idiocy had compelled her to come and when Takasugi would show up. She kept her hands firm to her pistols. Should things turn sour, she would be ready.
At last, the man she had been longing to see arrived.
"You came." Takasugi said.
"Tell me… everything." she said.
Takasugi smiled widely. He seemed amused.
"That depends on your answer."
She scowled with discontentment at his reply.
"Follow me" he said. Takasugi brought Matako out of the shadow-tinted street. To her surprise, Matako found him leading her to the river. But what she saw a moment later was far more interesting. A small private boat was waiting for them. In all her transactions, never had she been invited to something so private and luxurious. There had been some four star dinners, but never anything above that. Matako tossed aside the thought that all this was simply for her. Takasugi probably brought all of his potential members here.
Matako kept a hand firmly on her holster, even as she boarded. No matter where he took her, she couldn't forget it could be a cleverly thought up ambush. She had enemies in places high and low. It seemed silly of him to go to such means though. He had a fairly good chance of killing her the first time they met. So why was she being so cautious? She told herself it was out of common sense. But there was something else she was slightly afraid of. She was afraid of being made a fool.
Matako was young and at times brash. Time had hardly calmed her short temper or her mouth. But it had made her more sensible. She knew how to survive in this dog eat dog world. Matako knew that dreams weren't something possible in Edo, not for those like her. Admirable causes wouldn't put food on the table. If she didn't look out for herself, she could wind up lying dead in a gutter. She didn't want to be naively persuaded by Shinsuke Takasugi. Doing so, all of her work up until then could be wasted.
The boat had begun to pick up momentum and it carried them down the river. The sun was beginning to set while river traffic decreased. Matako felt the gentle wind hit her face. Takasugi let her gaze out at her surroundings for a moment. Then he broke her bliss by beckoning her to the follow after him. Matako turned around and faced him. She examined him again, this time even more carefully. She realized that the situation they were in felt rather romantic. A young lady and a handsome man watching the sunset aboard a ship… This was the scene that came to mind. Shinsuke was indeed attractive to her, devilishly so. She liked the way he dressed and postured himself. He appeared laidback and carefree, with hidden depths she wanted to plunge into. She noticed his purple yukata was ornamented with golden butterflies. An odd choice of dress, but exotic. His attire's looseness exposed his well toned chest. His facial features were sharp and appealing. But what she loved the most about him were his bandages. They granted him an image of mystery and danger. Matako wondered how long ago he had lost his eye and who could be strong enough to do it. Either way, he had surely returned the favor.
Several moments passed as she gazed at him intently. Takasugi was aware that she was doing so and knew she liked what she saw. He turned and led her inside.
Matako entered a spacious room, comfortable enough to fit the two of them. Takasugi opened up a window and let the evening breeze in. He turned and sat down. He signaled for her to do the same. Matako responded obediently. She knelt down and faced him. She saw a small sake tray positioned between both of them. Besides it rested a small string instrument. It appeared to be a Shamisen.
Shinsuke indulged himself to a cup of sake. He invited Matako to join him.
Normally she would say 'no' to such festivities. She preferred to unwind at the comforts of home. But she neither wished to offend him or miss out on his request.
"Thank you very much." Matako said. She drank it down slowly. The cold liquid was delicious. She savored every last drop.
The moment ended and she awaited his words.
"You told me you wished to know everything Kijima." Shinsuke said, "I'll tell you enough to satisfy your curiosity. Allow me to first ask something."
He asked, "What do you know of the Kiheitai?"
Kijima replied, "Just that they were part of the Jouishishi rebellion."
Shinsuke then asked, "And do you know what became of them?"
"No. I don't think so."
"They were believed completely disbanded. But we continue to fight. Our actions haven't yet been recognized, or more accurately identified by the Shinsengumi. Have you watched the news recently? Perhaps you heard about the incident with the tanker yesterday?"
Matako said, "Yeah. Are you saying it was you behind it?"
Takasugi pulled out his pipe. After a whiff, he said, "This was but a taste of what is to come."
"You mean that crap about a new world right?" Matako asked.
"I've already shown Edo that my dream is obtainable." he said.
She interrupted, "I've heard this all before, from Joui like you that can't accept defeat."
Kijima was intimidated by him, but she couldn't help voicing her skepticism. She wondered how he would react to her words.
"I have no association with these branches of the Joui. My goal is entirely different. I have no intention of freeing Edo from the Amanto." said Takasugi.
Matako was surprised.
"What I want is… the destruction Edo and the rest of the country."
Her eyes were even more surprised than before.
"Are you crazy? You want to destroy the country?" she asked with a laugh.
Takasugi said, "Our numbers are growing every day. Our goal is closer than you may think. I'm offering you a chance to be a part of a new Edo."
"What can one man and a few samurai do to the likes of the government?" Matako asked, "Sure you can hurt it, but it'll just crush you in return. It's hopeless, just like your pathetic attempt to win me over."
"This strike is only the start of it. As of now, I have hundreds of ronin, weak but useable. I have alleys in places you can't imagine. I have contracts with pirates and smugglers. I have access to enough weapons to fight a life time. Far more time than is required to turn this country upside down."
Shinsuke continued, "Do you know why we will succeed when the other rebellions continue to fail? We're prepared to use any means to reach our goal. Weak will, morals, and fear of casualties hampers the others. That is why we will win. This country's spirit is already broken. It has never recovered. We will make it bleed from every artery. We'll move in the dark, unafraid and untraceable. If a naval ship and all its escorts were defenseless against us, what can one politician hope to do? What can a puppet Shogun accomplish? Or a small band of Shinsengumi head bent to masters sitting on comfortable seats counting Edo's welfare? What do they know of war? What have they seen that can compare to the battlefields I stained with the blood of their soldiers? So… will you see this dream through unto it becomes a reality? Or are you content going on your way as the world moves forward without you?"
Matako sat unable to reply. An overwhelming atmosphere was choking her. His words were filled with charisma and a confidence she had never heard before. Not a fool's confidence, but a strategist's. Even more, a strategist who overruled the government's power with his own black aura. This man was evil. But it didn't frighten her. She had lived her life in immorality; she was numb to it. What Matako felt was a growing admiration of him. She had a chance to follow someone one only encountered once in their lifetime. Fantastic things were possible through him. She quickly reminded herself that he was just a man, mortal like any other.
Shinsuke stood up at last. He looked down at Matako. She felt suddenly small and insignificant next to him. It wasn't a feeling she was used to. She wasn't sure if she was humiliated by it or if she enjoyed this new sensation.
He resumed speaking. "I'll need your decision shortly. But do not rush your answer. Should you accept my offer, I will require everything from you. Your life, your mind, and your loyalty will be mine."
Matako sat silently thinking over his words.
"The choice is yours." Shinsuke said. This was his final statement. These were the words he had chosen to sway her to his cause; all promising but with a sense of the realistic. It was up to her entirely where she went from here. But if she accepted, it would be the last choice she would ever make. Shinsuke would demand the utmost loyalty from her. Matako needed to decide here and now what she would do. Were this man and his cause worth her devotion? Wasn't life simpler the way it was before? But wasn't she growing tired of it? Wouldn't she outgrow it eventually and find herself regretting her decision? Matako's thoughts were swarming. At last she pushed them aside.
"I will follow you… Shinsuke-sama." said Matako. Her fiery spirit towards him had changed to adoration and respect.
Takasugi was satisfied by her answer. He was positive he could use her. Her words were true. But she wasn't entirely trustworthy yet. Matako hadn't fully been turned to his cause. He couldn't blame her. She would be a fool to do so on the spot. It would take time to fully win her over. Such a thing didn't worry Shinsuke. In time, she would become completely loyal to him. And if she faltered, he would kill her.
Author's Note: Thank you for pointing out the problem with Katsura being with Elizabeth in the last chapter. While I don't know the timing for current Gintama, I don't think Elizabeth should appear this early and so I've corrected it.
