Chapter 6- The Kiheitai

Matako carefully sat herself next to Shinsuke. She felt her back sink into the feathery cushion. The warmth of his kimono tickled her leg. She slowly faced him. The small distance between them was distracting.

"From now on, I will require more of your time." said Shinsuke, "The days off you enjoy will be fewer and farther between."

"I understand." she said quickly. Matako didn't mind. Those eventless days had turned stale in her mind. To be involved with Shinsuke in a grand scheme seemed a far more appealing lifestyle.

"This Friday, at twelve in the afternoon, two black vehicles will arrive at your apartment. They will take you to your new home. I wish for you to take up residence at the Kiheitai headquarters. Consider it your primary abode, as it is mine. You may bring any valuables you wish."

"Yes Shinsuke-sama." Matako said. She began to imagine what life would be like in the Kiheitai. She had seen enough crappy hideouts to know what to expect. But she also considered that this being Shinsuke, he may surprise her.

He said "As you can see, this hotel is where I come on meaningless days. I don't mind if you continue to rent an apartment."


Kijima absorbed the familiar features of her living quarters. She hadn't the faintest idea when she would be back here. The question had little impact on her.

Everything was in order. She had given the housekeeper the key and paid for the next six months in advance. The other two apartments she had already moved out of and sold all the respective belongings. She had also cleared out all of the guns, saving only her prized collectibles and choice arms. Everything she wished to bring was packed into her trunks and suitcases.

She stepped through the doorway and spotted the two vehicles waiting for her. Matako muttered as she dragged her heavy luggage into the back of the van. She had still taken far more than she intended. She hoped Shinsuke wouldn't be angry with her.

Having fully packed, she stepped into the backseat of the car.

"A new life is waiting for me." Matako said dreamily.

The car slowly pulled out of the driveway. Its next destination was the territory of the Kiheitai.


An hour passed. Matako leaned her face against the window. The sights around her were slowing down. She heard the car's breaks slowly apply.

"We've arrived Kijima-sama." said the driver.

Matako grinned and flung open her door. She ran outside and looked around her. The clouds had cast a shadow over the area. It appeared to be a fairly new but unremarkable facility. The building to her front had over eight stories. Smaller buildings were on each side of it. Shinsuke could hide an army and its supplies here.

No sound reached her ears. She spotted a few well hidden cameras, but found no guards on patrol. She suspected Shinsuke relied on its vacant appearance to steer away curious eyes. Matako regained her focus as the driver walked on ahead of her.

The front doors opened. Matako stepped inside. It looked no different than it had outside. It was made of business oriented rooms. Matako figured this facility was originally constructed as a new office for one of Edo's corporations. How it landed in Shinsuke's hands was beyond her.

As Matako walked further in, she crossed a bridge with glass railings. There was a fountain below with seating around it. Takasugi was sitting legs crossed on one of the benches. But he wasn't alone. Three other individuals hovered around him.

Matako was taken down the stairs. Here the driver said a quick goodbye and left her to speak to Takasugi.

She bowed politely as always.

"Shinsuke-sama."

Shinsuke slowly turned his eyes to her. The others did as well.

Takasugi said, "Allow me to introduce Kijima Matako, the newest member of the Kiheitai."

Now addressing her, he said, "And these are the highest ranking members."

"From left to right is Takechi Henpeita,"

Takechi was a middle aged man with a standard Samurai haircut and garb. His eyes on the other hand were oddly oval.

"What's with his eyes? That can't be normal." she thought.

"Okada Nizou,"

Okada had gray slicked back hair and orange glasses. He wore a red scarf and green kimono. As he faced her, she noted his eyes were tightly shut.

"and Kawakami Bansai."

Kawakami had spiky teal green hair and sported a pair of shades. He wore a leather jacket and matching leather pants. She deemed him a musician judging from the headphones on his ears and the Shamisen on his back. Bansai had the look of an aloof man, enthralled alone by his own passion. Were she not so interested in Takasugi, Matako would have playfully flirted with him.

The next ten seconds after this introduction were silent ones. Matako hadn't cared to make a good first impression. She had nothing to hide from them, nothing to restrain. They either accepted her assertive personality or they didn't. Her indifference didn't make the moment any less awkward though.

Someone say something. Could it be…I've left them speechless?

Bansai was the first to speak up.

He said, "The 'Red Bullet' I daresay. This one is honored to make your acquaintance." Bansai spoke using extremely polite Japanese grammar.

Just as I thought. He's the cool one of the group. He's more polite than I had expected though.

"A woman?" asked Takechi.

He looked at Takasugi immediately afterward. He said, "I hadn't realized we were considering female members. It's a wise decision Shinsuke-dono. Perhaps now we can begin broadening our horizon? We should consider allowing a similar demographic into the Kiheitai- YOUNG GIRLS!"

Matako's lukewarm attitude shattered into disbelief.

"A lolicon… this guy's a lolicon!" she thought with disgust.

To her relief, Takasugi seemed to be ignoring the pedophile's suggestion.

Immediately after, Okada stepped forward. He was the only member Matako recognized. He was a criminal as infamous as she, if not more so. He had garnered a reputation for ignoring his handicap as a blind man and becoming an accomplished killer for hire.

"The Red Bullet," said Okada, "has no experience with swords correct? You use firearms instead?"

She said, "Yeah. You have a problem with how I do things?"

He smiled and turned away.

"I'm disappointed Shinsuke. To think you would let such a weak and cowardly character into the Kiheitai. Tut tut. A sword is a warrior's manifested power, but she- she truly has nothing."

Matako grit her teeth. Bansai observed how her hand instantly grasped a pistol. Her drawing speed was beyond human.

With her pistol to Nizou's face, she shouted, "I won't let you insult Shinsuke-sama like that! Apologize!"

Takasugi's voice became clear and stern as he said, "Lower your weapon Kijima. I'll consider it an act of betrayal should any Kiheitai murder another."

Matako's eyes widened with fear and she quickly withdrew her weapon. She hung her head.

"Forgive me Shinsuke-sama!" she said.

Shinsuke nodded slightly and returned to his relaxation. Okada now turned and began to walk away. An arrogant grin was plastered onto his face.

"How boring." he said as he left.

Matako continued to hold her head down, all the while mentally cursing Okada. That sneer of his, his belittling of her, and his disrespectfulness to Shinsuke made her blood boil. She knew he and her were destined to clash. Her bitter feelings were mixed with self resentment she had gained from losing her cool in front of Shinsuke. It would be difficult for her to continually remain professional around him. Matako's hormones and short temper were working against her. Kijima knew she was bound to slip up again if she wasn't more careful.


Author's Note: Again, I must say it's nice meeting Matako fans and Matako x Shinsuke fans. Where have you been all my life? :)