Chapter 8- The Bullet's Bite

When dinner was over, Takasugi retired to his room. The other members lingered at the dinner table. Some of the lower ranks started to drift in. Bansai pulled out his Shamisen and began to play. The other Kiheitai ordered a round of drinks to be served. They began to engage in merry making whether it was shooting the breeze, playing cards, or arm wrestling. Matako laid her cheek in her hand and lazily listened to Bansai's music.

"You're really good." she said. She sounded sincere despite her image of boredom.

"I thank you for your praise." Bansai said, "It does an artist's heart good to know his song is enjoyed."

"Eh? You wrote that piece?" she asked with interest.

"If it isn't too bold to say, this one's first passion is music."

She began to focus intently on him. Her eyes narrowed until her face became contorted. Suddenly she dramatically pointed at him.

She said, "You! You're the one who writes those crappy songs."

Bansai didn't answer or rather he no longer wished to speak.

"You're the songwriter for that pop star.. who was it... Otsu right?" she asked.

Bansai returned to playing his Shamisen.

"Hey, quit ignoring me!" Matako said, practically screeching.

Bansai began to slowly raise the volume at which he played.

Matako started to angrily drink down her sake. Realizing her bottle had run out, she stole a cup from an overweight man besides her.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" he asked.

"I could ask you that." one of his friends whispered, "She's one of Shinsuke-sama's hand selected."

"I don't give a damn who she is, that bitch stole my sake!"

"Eh?" his friend asked. "You're drunk aren't you? You should shut up or you're going to wind up dead."

His friend ignored his warning and stood up to face her. Matako sluggishly looked up. She was nearly as drunk as he was.

"What does fatty want? A bullet in his fat ass?" she asked.

"You're dunked." he said before a hiccup, "You couldn't hit the broadside of a ship like that."

Matako said, "That's a good comparison. But, I'd say between it and your oversized ass, the cruiser's definitely the harder shot."

The other men began to crack up. Matako joined in. The angry drunk became more and more furious. At last, he kicked the sake cup out of her hand. Matako looked at her empty hand for sometime before making the connection. Her pistol suddenly went off. The men became quiet while others fled. The hefty man looked at his foot. The thong of his sandal was raining down from every corner of the room. The other drinkers began to applause her. Matako showed her teeth with a gratified grin.

Bansai and Takechi stared at her in disbelief. The girl with the humble disposition to Takasugi was acting like quite the tomboy. It was hard to differentiate her from the men she was frolicking with.

"So this is the woman known as the Red Bullet? It seems her tongue is quick as well." said Bansai.

Takechi began to look worried for his life. He took off without a goodbye. Meanwhile, the men had challenged Matako to a shoot off. They placed three empty sake bottles all in a row. The challenge was to see how fast Kijima could shatter them with a single revolver. The hidden challenge was for her to do so despite her drunkenness.

Matako twirled her pistol around her index finger. She maneuvered it to her palm and shut her left eye. Her pistol fired off. The three glass bottles shattered harmoniously. The cheers in the room became even louder. As if it were even possible, the cheer escalated as Matako downed a bottle of sake. She snapped her tongue to the roof her mouth and then exhaled in delight.

Matako looked around her seeming slightly disconcerted. She stood up drearily and began to rock back and forth until finally losing balance. Suddenly, two hands latched on to her shoulders. Matako looked behind her in confusion. Bansai was the culprit.

"I think it's time you went to Kijima." he whispered in her ear. The men, though rowdy and drunk, retained enough sense to not protest. Bansai slowly walked Matako out of the dining room and towards her bedroom.

"Are you taking me to your bed Kawakami-kun?" she asked.

"You should be sleeping safely in your own bed tonight. Besides I can't have you firing off your pistol anymore. It may end up being one of many things you would regret when you awake."

Her head leaned away from him and then sank in a stupor. She was already fast asleep. Bansai decided to carry her the rest of the way.

Bansai pushed open her door with his foot. He lay her gently on her bed and found some folded up blankets to cover her with. Matako stirred and opened her eyes.

"You're leaving? You want me gone too huh?" she said.

"I never considered it. Now it's time for you to sleep I daresay."

"I deersay" she repeated, albeit poorly.

Bansai strode out of the room. The bedroom returned to its state of darkness as he quietly shut the door.

"Sleep well Kijima."


Her head was searing when she woke the next morning. Matako sat up. She tried desperately to remember the events from the night before. The last thing she recalled was her triumph in winning the bet. She wondered what had occurred afterward. Had she managed to walk back to her room in her condition? It was then that Matako realized her pistols weren't with her. She jumped out of bed and looked around for them. After searching to no avail, she decided to postpone the search for a bit.


Matako bit into a cold rice ball and then stepped into the shower. She contemplated the consequences of last night's actions. They had seen her true colors. This was inconsequential to her; she had nothing to hide from anyone. The possibility that she had done something regrettable and Takasugi should find out was what bothered her. She was also curious to know who had taken her to her room.

She opened up her door and found Yachi standing there. In his hands, was a bag bursting at the seams.

"Good morning Kijima-sama." he said. "Would you prefer to prepare your own meal or would you like to eat something from the cafeteria?"

Kijima winced in pain. Her hangover hadn't faded just yet. Matako felt she was in no condition to operate a stove. She was also curious to learn more about the Kiheitai headquarters.

"The cafeteria sounds fine." she said.

"Wonderful. If you're ready, I'll lead you the rest of the way."

"Now's as good as any." said Matako.

Yachi said, "Perhaps afterwards we can resume our tour and I can show you the remainder of the facilities?"

She nodded.

"Oops, I messed up again. Please forgive me Kijima-sama. I almost forgot something Bansai-sama instructed me to give you."

Yachi handed her over the bag. She examined it and found to her surprise- her pistols.

"Bansai-sama said you would understand why he refrained from handing them back last night."

She said, "Humph"


Matako sat down at an empty table. The cafeteria was bustling with hungry Kiheitai members. Though it was large, it was hardly any less exquisite than Shinsuke's dining room. She sat at a low traditional table while tea and breakfast were brought to her. The lower ranked members received less service, waiting in line at the buffet to receive breakfast.

As she blew on her tea, she spotted Bansai and Takechi from across the room. Two seats were still available to her at there table. Nizou sat across the room with his katana on the tabletop. Like her, he was alone. She looked back at Bansai who was once again playing his Shamisen. Takechi appeared to be talking to himself. She wondered if she should join them. After a moment, she decided she'd rather eat alone.


Author's Note: Looking back, it sure appears like I wrote myself into a romantic ditch with Shinsuke being coldhearted. But... the romance will bloom in an unexpected way. ;) It will take time though, so I hope you enjoy the journey.

The story overall, will follow canon, but eventually diverge on its own course. It may get a bit lemony down the road. Just a warning to those not a fan of either of these things. Okay, I think I've given enough away.

I really enjoyed writing this chapter. I find writing Matako's interactions with the Kiheitai so much fun.