Chapter 7- Meager Accommodations

"Yachi" said Takasugi. A member slipped out from behind one of the many pillars. Matako had already detected several others in the shadows.

"What is your command Shinsuke-sama?" the man asked while bowing.

Takasugi said, "Show Kijima to her room."

"Yes Shinsuke-sama."

Matako Kijima was escorted deeper into the facility. The gray tiling continued through the many hauls. Most of it remained completely unlit. A sudden turn gave her a change of scenery. The halls were now lit by bronze fixtures. Matako found a red velvet carpet under her feet with wooden doors to her left and right. Many of the doors were open. Men were gambling and watching television from their rooms. Nearly all of them turned when they saw her.

"Shinsuke-sama's brought us a prostitute?" one asked.

Another said, "Only one? No way."

A third voice said, "That girl's armed. She must be someone important."

"Whoever she is, she's hot."

Their vulgar comments were continuously replaced by newer ones as she continued on her way.

"Kijima-sama" said her escort.

Matako's mouth slightly dropped at his use of honorifics. Only a few lower paying clients had ever addressed her with such respect. She wasn't used to someone viewing her as being of such high standing.

"We've arrived. Your bags will be here momentarily."

Her guide slipped out a key and unlocked the door besides him. He gently pushed it open and then stepped back.

Matako glided past, desiring to see the condition of her new living quarters. Her hands searched the wall to her right. At last, she found the dimmer. She turned the knob until the room began to subtly glow. It was spacious. Not quite as large as her last apartment, but enough for her not to miss her previous room. It was already well decorated with a silk futon, a chandelier, a television, and a metal table.

Kijima stepped in. To her left was a bathroom. A toilet, a pair of sinks, a bathtub, and glass shower were all present. She was pleased with how much it mimicked a furnished hotel room, having fresh towels and miniature soaps.

Feeling lighthearted, Matako skipped back into the living room. Besides the bathroom was the foyer complete with washer and dryer. She found to her right, two more rooms. One was an empty entertainment room, though a game board and some mats were in place. The next room was the kitchen which connected to the next room—the dining area. Expensive state of the art appliances were already installed and the table, set for entertaining.

Matako entered the last room. Her bedroom was quickly deemed her favorite. It had a walk in closet as large as her last one. A weapons rack was also present, this time with no need to be conspicuous. Her bed was a king supported by black railings. The bed was already made with a generous amount of silver pillows, sheets, and blankets.

She serenely sunk into her new bed and spread her limbs. Matako ran her hands over the smooth sheets. She pushed her feet between the cool pillows. Her eyes voluntarily relaxed.

"Is it to your liking Kijima-sama?" asked Yachi.

She opened her eyes.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." he said.

"Don't worry about it." she said, "And the room's wonderful."

"I'm sure Shinsuke-sama will be glad to hear it."

"He will?" she asked.

"He had a hand in the creation of each room befitting the highest ranking Kiheitai members."

Yachi spoke, "He encourages you to improve and rearrange your space as you see fit. The Kiheitai will pay for the expenses and the delivery. Oh… I almost forgot to tell you Kijima-sama, your valuables are here."

Two men brought in her many suitcases. They placed them inside the main room for her.

"That'll be all. I can take it from here." said Matako.

They bowed and all three of them left her apartment. Matako shut the door and made herself at home. She opened the fridge and searched for beverages. She gleefully found a bottle of Don Pérignon and rummaged around for a glass. At last, she sat down on her new futon and took a sip of the fine champagne. She leaned her head back and stared at the fan. Its gentle rotation was lulling her back to sleep. Matako willingly gave in.

Matako woke up finding herself sprawled over the ground. She supported her aching neck and tried to sit up. Matako half expected herself to be in her old apartment. It began to truly sink in that a new page of her life had begun.

That's right, I'm in the Kiheitai now. This is the fate I chose for myself.

KNOCK KNOCK!

"Who is it?"

"Forgive my intrusion Kijima-sama." said a familiar voice. "It's me Yachi. I'm to inform you that dinner is served. Shinsuke-sama wishes for you to join him and his members for dinner."

It dawned on her that she hadn't eaten since breakfast.

"I'll escort you there."

She said, "All right. Give me a minute."

"Of course Kijima-sama."

Matako rushed to her luggage until she found her white suitcase. Out of it she grabbed her cosmetics. She ran into the bathroom and quickly touched up her face. A gentle breeze of perfume and she was ready.

Matako opened the door and found her patient tour guide waiting for her.

"This way please." he said.


In a few minutes, Matako was standing in front of Takasugi's dinner table. Bansai and Takechi were present along with several members she didn't recognize. Takasugi was sitting at the head of the table. Matako spied an empty seat to his left. She bowed and slowly sat down. Bansai sat opposite of her.

"Thank you for joining us Kijima." said Shinsuke softly.

She nodded and waited for her plate. Soon enough several servants arrived with their meals.

As Matako looked down at her food, she asked, "If it's not to bold to ask Shinsuke-sama, is it safe to have servants?"

Takechi answered in his stead. "They too are members of the Kiheitai. They simply provide their services differently. There's no need to worry about security. This place has been paid off by an ally. The electricity we use is all produced from our own facilities. Any supplies follow a secure root that is carefully inspected. As for arms, we have more than enough guards to defend ourselves. The rest of the security is up to Bansai, and yourself."

"I see." she said. She looked at Shinsuke and said, "I'm sorry Shinsuke-sama. I hope you don't think I was doubting you. I was only curious is all."

Shinsuke split his chopsticks. "I don't. I measure your loyalty not by words but by actions. And if I must look deeper… then I will simply look into your eyes."

She thought, "Shinsuke-sama's so cool!"

Matako began to eat. She occasionally looked up to observe Takasugi or one of his members. Takasugi ate his food slowly and maticulously. Bansai ate at a more standard pace while Takechi ferociously attacked his. For the longest time, she stared at him and his odd mannerism. When he wasn't eating, he had a perpetual frown on his face. He suddenly noticed her.

"Has something caught your eye?" he asked.

"Please don't word it like that. I'll throw up."

"I wasn't implying anything. Don't jump to awkward conclusions."

"You're the one making this awkward!" she said.

She sighed and changed the subject. "Tekechi-san, you spoke about Bansai and I being the guards for this place. What about Okada? Are his duties different? Speaking of which… where is he?"

Takechi patted his lips with a napkin. He said, "He is one of our more 'independent' members."

Takasugi now said, "Like you Kijima, he was an assassin. He serves the same purpose for the Kiheitai. I don't consider him a true member however. His nature is to pursue his own blood sport, a liability to us. For now though, he is loyal and useful. We will continue to keep him employed for that period."

"What will you do if he crosses the line?" asked Matako.

"I will punish him if he does so. It's as simple as that."

"Mmm." She had a nagging question she wanted desperately to ask him.

"Do you-" She hesitated. "Do you consider me a true member Shinsuke-sama?" Her heart was beating as she asked this.

Takasugi was silent for a while. This stretch of time only made her more worried.

"That depends Kijima. Do you consider yourself to be?"

Matako quickly analyzed his question. Should she reply "yes" she may appear arrogant and proud. But to answer "no" would reflect uncertainty. She considered the latter not only a more dangerous reply, but a lie.

"You said to me, from now on I was a true member of the Kiheitai. Since that moment, I've considered myself to be that, to be one of yours."

Takasugi narrowed his eyes. He then grabbed his chopsticks and began to eat his second course.

"Shinsuke, if I may change the subject?" asked Bansai.

"Speak Kawakami."

"We weren't able to finish our conversation earlier. You said dealings with the space pirates are going well. This one was wondering how long you plan to use their services before employing the Harusame?"

The last words caught Matako's attention. There wasn't a crook alive who didn't know about the dreaded Harusame. They were the largest criminal syndicate in the galaxy. Their squadrons employed fearsome warriors, supposedly even some of the Yato clan. For Shinsuke to intend to ally with such a dangerous organization was remarkable. Should things go successfully Shinsuke would have an invaluable friend, but not a trustworthy one. Matako wondered how a top dog like the Harusame would feel about such an ambitious man like Shinsuke.

Wouldn't they see him as a threat?

"They're a party not at war with the Harusame. We can use both without angering the other." said Takasugi.

"I gather," said Kawakami, "you mean to form an alliance soon? Things are moving according to schedule I daresay."

Takechi said, "First things first. We need to decide how to deal with the Shogun."

"All in time." said Takasugi, "If we reveal ourselves too early, the Shinsengumi may catch wind of our scent. We're not quite yet at the point where we can strike. Our members are nearly adequate, as is our weapons cache. Until it is though, we will wait in the shadows."


Author's Note: This was a rather slow chapter just for setting the atmosphere. Another chapter should be out this Friday.