Bonus Chapter 1: A Job
The sun almost crackled as it came through the window of the cottage in the hills of Shiga. Jin-e awoke cold, alone, and tangled in his bedding. He had been home for nearly two weeks with no word from his "connector," who found clients who could use his services. He felt for a fleeting moment, lying on his futon, that he could grow accustomed to a more domesticated lifestyle, sleeping late and growing fat like an old gray tomcat. That thought was replaced quickly with hunger and a need to move. He could feel a familiar tension headache hitting right above his eyebrows, stemming from domesticity, which led to monotony, which led to discontentment. He knew he would have to leave soon.
Jin-e straightened himself and changed clothes, then found his way to the main living area, where Chisa was sitting with her back to the wood stove and sipping a cup of tea. It was a chilly fall morning and her hair was wet from the bath. He passed her wordlessly on his way to the table, where she had set up a small meal of natto and rice. Chisa hated natto but would never refuse to purchase or prepare it. She usually picked cooler mornings to serve it; when the stuffy heat of summer didn't accentuate the noisy odor.
After he began eating, Chisa padded across the floor and sat across from Jin-e at the low table. She looked puzzled.
"What? What's on your mind?" Jin-e looked up from his bowl and at Chisa, attempting to read her expression. She shook off his glance.
"I don't understand why I'm here." She tilted her head towards him.
"You mean in this world or do you mean here with me? Or is it something else entirely?"
"Well…it really depends…"
As Chisa trained off in thought, the door slid open. Usually this meant a visit from Akari, but this time when Chisa turned excitedly to see who it was, it was a short, stocky man with thinning hair and a bit of a limp. He was by no means imposing, but there was something off-putting about his presence.
This man, known only to Jin-e as "Goto", confidently approached the table and sat at a cushion. He looked expectantly at Chisa, tilting his head toward the kettle for her to fetch him a cup of tea. She hated visits from Goto.
"I've got some excellent news for you, Kurogasa." The unexpected visitor grabbed the tea that Chisa sat in front of him. He did not acknowledge her further. "The client you fulfilled a contract for a few weeks ago, Hitoshi-san, is dead. We thought that the family was going to avoid pressing the issue, but it seems that they are looking to ensure that this faction doesn't interfere with future changes in power in their family. They think it's internal."
"They think the murderer is a family member?"
"They say that they know that's the case, which is good enough for me to offer you the contract. It will bring in a significant amount for us." Goto smiled and patted his lap with both hands. "Meet me in two nights at my house in the early morning hours. I'll share all I know then."
Goto downed his tea quickly, despite the fact that it was scalding hot. Jin-e stared for a moment and then nodded and gestured toward the door. He tried to keep his private life and his love of work separate but sometimes he could only receive information while at home.
As the connector left, Chisa stood and walked to pick up the cup he had used. As she passed Jin-e, he caught her wrist and looked up at her. "I know you don't like visits from him. Just know that I have to have someone like him to do the work I do. If he were more likable, I would be skeptical if he could actually do the job well. I have never met a likable connector who knew what he was doing."
She pulled her wrist away. Jin-e stood and went back to their bedroom where he laid out a pack that he carried his things in; his characteristic black hat, clothes, items that made it seem that he was a merchant on his way to a supplier. This was a front that he often put on when traveling more populated roads. A man of his height and build already stood out enough. He didn't mind conflict or even the occasional back alley clash with law enforcement, but he did try to avoid it when he wasn't actively on a contract.
Chisa quietly approached him and touched his arm. He knew she always felt like each contract could be his last. Maybe she was right, but he certainly didn't think so.
"We've done this so many times, Chisa." He shook his head. "If you're scared, go stay with Akari."
"It's not about that. I wish I understood more why this is your profession; why you can't be satisfied with a quiet life."
Chisa made a face, which further irritated Jin-e. This was a common conversation when he was preparing to leave and one with which he was beginning to lose his patience. He told her she could leave at any time, though if she left, her life with him would be over for good. He refused to participate in the conversation further and turned back to packing his bag. Dissatisfied and feeling unseen, Chisa walked away.
A few days later, Jin-e did as Goto had said and met at his home, which was considerably large. Although it was well after midnight, Goto was sitting awake on his porch smoking a pipe. He handed Jin-e a packet of papers that contained a map, a photograph, details about the target's personal schedule, and a small advance on the payment he was to receive when the job was complete. He looked at the picture, smiled, and lit a cigarette.
"I always enjoy seeing the shift in your eyes between when you are at home with your woman to when you are ready to work." Goto exhaled a thick cloud of smoke as if sighing in relief. "The comparison is like nothing I've seen."
Jin-e's, or rather Kurogasa's, eyes were black.
As he left Goto's home, he walked steadily through the street and came to a small inn at around 6:00am. He had stopped there once before in his Shinsengumi days and was treated exceptionally well by the older couple. They showed Kurogasa to his room, presented him with a small meal, and walked away. He told them about an injury he had received during his travels that resulted in his eyes being that way. He knew they would otherwise be alarmed.
He settled himself and drew out a brush, ink, and a piece of paper that he had packed and penned his brief note:
You'll be visited at 1:00am in two mornings. I'm sure you're expecting company, although Hitoshi was not.
In the morning, he would send the sealed letter with a courier and continue to wait around the inn until the time came to leave. During this time, Kurogasa would sleep, visualize his target, and sharpen his swords. This was one of the most restful times in his life. At home, he was doing chores or training or spending time with Chisa, none of which made him feel truly rested. The solitude and silence was restorative and necessary for the work he did.
When the time came, he found his way to the estate of the Kato family. Although it was nearing one in the morning, Kurogasa could see the faint glow of candlelight in a second floor window. They were waiting on him and he knew they would be prepared.
Although no one was outside, he noticed the door was easily slid open. He could feel that a trap was set. He carefully stepped into the front room, where immediately he heard gunfire. Just one gunman, but the bullet grazed his upper arm. This changed nothing, as Kurogasa was immediately able to identify the location of the shooter, cast the shin no ippo, and decapitate him. The head hit the ground first, as the body then slumped over. Fresh blood spread on the floor, a dripping blade, the sting of a wound. All these were things that made Kurogasa feel truly alive.
Immediately following the gunshot, he could hear the weight of the others upstairs shifting the floorboards. The excitement was just beginning. He bound up the stairs, and came to the doorway where he knew most of the group would be. He took a breath and stepped inside.
He was greeted by additional gun fire that quickly subsided. In fact, all movement subsided. He had cast a sweeping shin no ippo which impacted all individuals (in this case eleven). All felt paralyzed, with the exception of their eyes that were wide with terror. Kurogasa lit a cigarette and strolled around the room.
He knew his target but made a showing of destroying every other individual before getting to him. He jabbed his wakizashi through the neck of one. He removed the hands of another and decapitated him. He methodically made his way through nine members and came to the tenth. This was a young man of maybe 19. It seemed that he was the son of his target. He averted his eyes from the son and made eye contact with his father and smiled. He could see the horror in his face; the anticipation of what was to come.
Kurogasa took his sword and nearly slashed the boy in two at the waist. At this point tears were flowing down the target's face, and suddenly he shook loose of the shin no ippo. He lunged at the hitokiri, but was met quickly with a wakizashi that penetrated his eye and exited the back of his head. The job was done.
Kurogasa surveyed the disarray, lit a scroll on fire with the butt of his cigarette, and exited the house. He had chills from the chaos and destruction he had created
