Hantai Katana
Episode 3

Bankyuu no 3nen 5gatsu 5nichi

"Wake."

The quiet order broke into Keioko's sleeping mind. More than the words, however, the flat, piercing gaze that bore into her unsettled her rest. Zan. Zan was the second member of Shinritsu's small group. Only slightly older than Keioko herself, the two seemed polar opposites. His light skin and delicate features were effeminte, but a strange asymetry left him anything but pretty. His eyes too held nothing inside them. Some of the waitresses said at times he wouldn't move for hours, and those empty eyes left them with the feeling they were serving the dead. When he moved was worse. It had a sickly, jerky quality. When one entertainer had played the wrong song, he calmly broke her wrist. It was a strange strength that he contained. Chi's description of him as a 'little psycho' was apt.

He was enough to keep the three women who Keioko had met the first night away. Without him around, however, they doted on her in a continual plague of propositions and teasing. It had become their past time to make her blush. They had gone so far as to try setting her up with Seima, the quiet one. Seima, however, proudly declared she was already in love. Though she wouldn't say with whom, it had become rather obvious it was with Hazu, or as they knew him at the in, by his real name, Oka. He was totally oblivious to this. The women who worked at the inn knew him well, and as Keioko would discover the day after her first night at the inn, it was he who had convinced them to talk to Chi. The distraction had been manufactured. He spent a good deal of time there, posing as a waiter, though there was little contact between the two, she always felt one eye on her, and sometimes found notes about happennings in the city or silly souvenirs hidden in her futon.

The only one not intimidated by Zan was Haruko. She did not actually work at the inn, but without Masa, and nowhere else to go, she spent her time around Keioko. Whether it was for protection, security, or that she simply enjoyed the company, not even Zan seemed to bother her. She was well liked among the Aizu. Enough that when he had tried to beat her for mocking him, which she did often, he had almost been cut down. She was fearless, but also dangerous. With one exception, she, unlike the other women, didn't flirt with Keioko. It was as if she could see straight through the guise of Tenshi Makai to the woman beneath it. Not a word was said about it, however. Rumors had begun to spring up that they were together, which Shinritsu fiercely, and comically, denied.

Haruko was dangerous, and Kawa had been right, she and Hazu hated each other. Because they knew each other, Hazu would not risk speaking with Keioko for fear of ruining her cover, however he often exchanged words with Haruko, who typically won in her sharp-tongued way. Kawa had also been right that Hazu would be jealous, and not being able to speak to Keioko only made it worse. It was only then that Haruko would flirt with Keioko, leaning against her affectionately, or teasing her hair while telling stories in an intimate tone. It was not entirely one-sided, however. After she had nearly driven him to tears by pointing out his 'little crush' for Makai, that it must've been difficult to want to be the girl in a relationship with a boy much prettier than he, he spent the next three poisoning every glass of tea she got with sleeping powder. Apparently, he thought it was funny to watch her go face down in her soup.

Zan, however, had no sense of humor. When she woke, his slightly skewed eyes bore down on her. "Omae, wake. I have things for you to do." If his personality and looks weren't enough, he had taken to acting as though Shinritsu's orders were his own.

A groan, a rather loud groan slipped past Keioko's lips as she sat up, glaring at the man. "You expect me to wake up after saying 'wake' twice? Lucky for you I'm a light sleeper..." She sat up, running her fingers through her hair and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She'd slept like a baby that night, after all the activity the previous day had left her dragging her feet. Yawning widely she proceeded to get up, adjusting her yukata in the process.

"So..." She began, another wide yawn causing her to pause her question for the moment. "What was it you said you had for me to do?"

"Get up. I've been waiting all morning. Shinritsu finally found something good for us to do. Bring your katana." The young man's strange face twitched as though with a life of its own and he stood up. His stringy hair hung in his face. As he paced the room like a bored cat, the tatami he stood on creaked. The week before, Kawa had placed a knife and a firework underneath, to signal if anything went wrong. After pacing the room twice, he stopped as though hit with something and nodded.

"Shinritsu's waiting downstairs with another man. We'll get breakfast, then we'll go. I've never seen you around blood. Eat quick and we can see some blood. Quick." He spoke quickly, scattered, and dispassionately. Keioko had been around him enough to guess that he probably had no idea where they were going if he hadn't told her by now. Without another word, he stormed from the room, slapping the door shut behind him

Keioko cringed slightly as the door slammed shut. See some blood...? Great. She thought somewhat sarcastically in her mind. Since Keioko was already standing, she grabbed her hakama and stepped into it and tie it quickly. She yawned once more and walked over to her katana stand, pulling Amaterasu the katana and Izanami the wakizashi from it and slipping them into her obi. She made way from the room and downstairs to get some breakast.

Zan wasn't the only of the Aizu to be bloodthirsty of late. The mysterious killing of ten Ishin Shishi had occurred in the last week, and though no one claimed it, it was apparent that the Aizu had something to do with it. Keioko hadn't found any evidence yet to link them, however.

The inn was bustling as usual, even so early in the morning. Several waitresses called to her as she passed by with a friendly greeting and a bow. Despite the busy atmosphere, tt was easy to find Shinritsu with Zan pacing around him. When the younger man saw Keioko, he dropped down unceremoniously beside his leader. Shinritsu, for his part, had warmed to her, and when he caught sight of her, smiled.

"Oi, Makai-kun! Over here!" He called. A third man sat with them.

He was not an Aizu, though he was a swordsman. Although he knelt with a meditative look, eating breakfast without pretense, a readiness lurked about him. He was no larger than Shinritsu, and far calmer than Zan, but it was his eyes that separated him from the average. As she approached, they pierced through her as though swords themselves. He held her gaze without a waver of guarded emotion. Only Kawa was so controlled.

"Makai-kun, we have been given an important job today. Finally we can gain some honor for the Aizu, na." Shinritsu started, motioning to the seat across from Zan. The boy seemed less excited about the honor than he had the bloodshed.

"Tenshi Makai, Saitou Hajime. He is one of our agents. We have just sponsored him into a newer division of the Aizu, the Shinsengumi. Have you heard about them yet?" The stern faced man bowed slightly as she sat beside him, but said nothing.

Immediately she committed the name to memory as he was introduced, and she took a seat next to him. She bowed in response to his, watching Shinritsu as he explained and inquired thigns to her. She gently shook her head. "Iie, Shinritsu-san, I've heard the Shinsengumi mentioned once or twice, but have not heard much about them."

Despite Shinritsu's smiling face, Keioko's demeanor mimicked that of the man next to her, her face calm and almost emotionless with a hint of a small smile that seemed to be ever-present. "So what is this important job I've been hearing so much about lately?"

"Well you'll meet them soon enough. Consider them assistants to us." Saitou made no reaction to this. "Do you know who Sakuma Shouzan is then?" He questioned her, but shook his head before she could answer. "He is the minister of foreign affairs. He is coming to Kyoto, and will be under the care of the Aizu, wakatta?" A waitress approached and took Keioko's order.

"Tell him the good part!" Zan burst out suddenly.

"Watch what you call good!" Shinritsu snarled. "This is important. The Ishin Shishi are planning to assassinate him. We need to prove that we have this city under control. We are going to stop it. Damn those country hick rebels...this war should be over by now..." Saitou sighed as he listened to Shinritsu continue. "They are making no secret of their plan, so we need to teach them a lesson!" Shinritsu had a way of becoming overly passionate. Her food came quickly, and Shinritsu rose.

"I have to get the final word. When I come back, we go."

"Hai!" Zan called enthusiastically.

Saitou continued to eat.

"I am ready. I'm ready. I didn't eat today because I thought I would taste their blood," Zan jabbered on excitedly. None of his talk effected the plainly dressed Shinsengumi's demeanor. He poured himself tea and waited

Keioko couldn't stop frowning at this proposition. So she was going to fight against her own? This wasn't good. She wouldn't be able to kill them, but only knock them out, as usual. She would have to ask Oyama about this next time she saw him. As she took a piece of okonomiyaki into her mouth, she side-glanced at Zan with a small glare.

"You know that working yourself up will only dissappoint you in the end. Take a breather psychotic one..." She muttered the last phrase under her breath as she ate a few bites of vegetables.

"Probably...probably," He sighed. "It's so disappointing, these dirty ronin..." Zan had picked up many of Shinritsu's mannerisms and speech patterns, but the imitation always fell short. He had none of the regal pride his leader did. "Why can't they have...why can't they have someone like ME to fight for them?" Saitou actually looked up.

"You want to be Ishin Shishi?" Though he remained impassive, his voice was mockingly incredulous.

"What? No! I want someone like me fighting for them."

"You want your enemy to be yourself."

"I want a fight! I'm strong is what I am."

"You're an idiot is what you are." Zan glared at the man again ignoring him, then just as quickly gave up with a shrug.

"Makai, my point is..." He collected his thoughts, "My point is, don't this BORE you?" Rolling his eyes, he rose, his shifting eyes searching out a new target to talk to. These two were not much fun. He began to hunt down waitresses.

Saitou finished his tea and gave a slow glance to Keioko that would've been a glare had it not been the only facial expression he'd had since she'd seen him.

"Tenshi Makai is a strong name...for a woman." His eyes shifted forward again and he rose. Shinritsu was returning from upstairs. Saitou looked at her unfinished plate and then nodded. "Come. We can stop your friend from being an idiot on our way out." He headed towards the door outside, through which Zan had disappeared, without waiting

Keioko blinked in confusion a few times. Does he know? Or maybe he was making fun of her too? Did he figure out she was a woman? Uh oh... Keioko was a tad more nervous now, but she didn't let her facial expression change to more than a raised eyebrow and a mouthful of omlette. She swallowed and quickly finished her tea with a nod. As she stood and slipped her swords into her obi, she jogged over to Saitou and walke next to him, matching his pace.

"What did you mean, for a woman? You were kidding right?"

Saitou didn't respond as he walked through the door. Zan was outside. He had pulled Seima out and the girl was doing her best to understand the curse-filled rant of the boy who stood too close, spoke too loud. Without pausing, Saitou shoved the boy one-handed on his face. Seima escaped inside with a quick smiled to Keioko.

Reclining against a wall, Saitou produced a pipe and began to fill it as though she wasn't there. The streets were hushed, as if everyone knew the day would see violence. Few ronin came and went, and familes kept their eyes straight ahead past the two samurai, hurrying to wherever they called home.

"It isn't my problem that you hide your gender. With so many ronin gathering, everyone will hide themselves. An Aizu is an Aizu to me." He lit the pipe and inhaled briefly before expelling the thick smoke in slow, twisting spirals. "I only care if there is something else you're hiding." His dark eyes flickered to her face as though to read her secrets in unspoken words. He inhaled. Zan's approach, after finally having picked himself off the ground, interrupted them. "Your friend is oblivious...to himself."

"Oi, Makai-kun. Come away from that asshole. We've got to get ready," He called, staying out of arms reach of the mysterious man. Shinritsu appeared through the door and nodded to them all. He was ready.

Keioko sent a small smile to Seima as she ran by, then turned her attention back to Saitou as he spoke. She pouted slightly. This man was dangerous, and she needed to keep her guard up when around him. He looked at her, and she kept her face as neutral as possible, the residual pout still there, but she was good at hiding secrets. Once Zan called to her, she bowed quickly and politely to Saitou before jogging off and to Shinritsu with another small bow that was more of a quick nod of the head. She said nothing, but her body language conveyed that she was ready to go.

Saitou trailed after the three as they marched towards the outskirts of town. Something in the forcefullness of their step moved people away so that even those making purchases paused to let them through. Zan already had his hand on the hilt of his katana, and Shinritsu didn't deviate from the straight line he cut through the crowds. Among the crowds, it was a strange silence.

Too quickly, they arrived. It was the platform at which Keioko had first come to Kyoto three weeks prior. Now those ronin, stranded in a strange city, were Ishin Shishi, their faces hardened with anger or fear. Some had blades drawn in various degrees of threatening, some still waited. Before them stood two men in blue uniforms with pearlescent white mountains taking over the sleeves. She could not make out their features, but their relaxed stance and undrawn blades made them appear too non-challant to be real combatants. Nevertheless, they had taken all the Ishin Shishi attention. Keioko's true allegiance had their back turned to the four who approached. She counted ten against the two who stood before them, and the group of four she was a part of, who approached with ever greater rapidity, the closer they came, the faster they were drawn in. Shinritsu put his hand on his blade as well. Saitou watched. Whether it was paranoia or reality, Keioko could feel his eyes on her, on them all

Keioko was walking behind Zan and Shinritsu, her own stance relaxed and her step normal, not angry, not hurried, but quick enough to keep up. She watched as they got neaer to the confrontation area, noticing the blue and white of the Shinsengumi and recognizing a few of the faces of the ronin that she'd travelled with. She frowned slightly. She hoped none of them would recognize her. When Shinritsu stopped, Keioko did also, standing a few feet behind him with a small frown on her face, and remaining nontheless alert and on her guard. Saitou was with them anyways, she she needed to remain on guard.

"Shinritsu-san. What's going on?" She asked after walking up to him and leaning close to his left ear. She spoke in a hushed tone, slightly lined with worry.

Shinritsu turned slightly, his voice low enough that it just reached Keioko, as if he was worried that the Ishin Shishi might overhear.

"Those ten are assassins for the Ishin rebels who came for Sakuma Shouzan...they look disorganized, ne. The two they're facing are Shinsengumi. They're strong. If we rush them, we should be able to cut them down where the sta-," Even as he planned, his scheme was ruined when one of the two called out in a cheerful greeting.

"Saitou-san! We waited for you but you were late!" Saitou took a step past Shinritsu and gave just the barest of smiles.

"You could've waited to greet me after we were through..." He said too quietly to be heard across the platform, but didn't pause as he neared the ten, all but the nearest to the two of whom turned in surprise at the realization that they were surrounded. Shinritsu cursed under his breath.

"Makai-kun...I god damn hate the Shinsengumi." He declared flatly and hurried to catch up to Saitou, who now stood just out of sword range of the enemy.

The Ishin Shishi looked panicked. They obviously had not expected this much resistance, nor these kinds of swordsmen. Keioko had not seen any of those present fight, but from their eyes, it was clear that the Aizu were more confident, even if outnumbered. Only Zan looked excited, and his mumbling 'yes' repeatedly did not help the morale of the Ishin.

Saitou stood alone, Shinritsu and Zan together to one side of him. The final two Shinsengumi remained where they were.

"Ne, you brought friends. I thought it would just be us." The one who had spoken before said again to Saitou. Besides she and Zan, he was the youngest, and by far the most carefree. The one who hadn't spoken yet just watched the men shuffling, looking for openings, his hand cooly on his blade, his eyes focused as though trying to catch a fish with his bare hands.

"You aren't that lucky." Saitou said ironically.

"Oi, Who the hell do you think you all are? We still out-number you, and half of you are kids!" Finally an Ishin Shishi interupted. Zan seemed to be growing impatient.

Keioko also stood somewhat alone, behind Shinritsu, Zan and the other Shinsengumi. She looked almost shy in her calm stance, her hand not even on her blade. She almost looked non-combatant. She listened closely to the comments being made, her gaze quickly shifting to the Ishin as he spoke, she opene dher mouth, speaking with her voice deep and boyish with a Kyoto accent.

"What's your point? Looks can be decieving..." She narrowed her eyes slightly, putting on the somewhat arrogant and confident act expected of an Aizu. Her intense blue eyes bore deep into those of the Ishin who spoke, a small glare set within them, mixed with a near look of pity.

"Naaa, he's got a point Ishin-san," The young Shinsengumi called. As she said it, Saitou actually smiled. To Keioko, it might have been for irony based on their short conversation, but to the Ishin Shishi, it was mocking. At last, the final Shinsengumi spoke with a sharp laugh.

"Ah, If I judged you by how you looked, you'd seem dead to me." It was the last intelligible word before the entire area errupted in violence.

The one Keioko had spoken to rushed for her. Shinritsu let him pass with an amused smile, but Zan cut him down from behind. As though in slow motion, the battle broke out in individual fights across the wooden platform. The last to speak hadn't moved at all, but his partner struck. It was hypnotic: the feint, in one blink he was defenseless, the next, his blade was soaked in blood, bent in a low lunge. His opponent hadn't even the time to raise his already unsheathed sword. The air was filled with the sounds of pain escaping the dying Ishin Shishi. Keioko hadn't seen how he had managed it, but one man fell past Saitou with his own blade embedded in his chest. Saitou drew his blade, and all but Keioko were engaged, some with two men, all moving as if born with katana in hand.

Shinritsu and Zan held their own, both competant swordsmen, though the three Ishin Shishi pushed them back. A lone swordsman stepped from the melee, his rough clothes unwashed, face dirty. It was difficult to see how he shared the same side with Kawa or Keioko, but he held himself with animalistic pride, his sword drawn, he stalked towards Keioko. His eyes seemed to look past her. Already he knew that they had been trapped, outmatched. One of the Aizu would kill him, his only hope that he could take one with him, the most passive. He pointed his katana at Keioko in challenge then rushed her in the aggressive, brutish way of one intent on death, not swordplay. His katana thrust for her chest with a scream.

Keioko remained still as the man came for her, her eyes flickering slightly as Zan cut him down, she sighed softly, glad that she wouldn't have to go for this one. However, the battle had begun with her one comment and the man's response, so she felt somewhat guilty for this. Either way, if was his life or hers, and she was bent on keeping herself alive. She stood back and watched, waiting for someone to come at her, as she wasn't too keen on fighting until necessary, but her break came.

This man was rough-looking, almost daydreamy the way he looked past her. Either way, she knew he'd have to die. As he stalked towards her, she placed her right hand on her katana. Then, he rushed. She remained still, watching hmi intently, eyeing the placement of his sword and judging where and how much force it would take to avert his blade. She then did it, in one quick movement as he neared her, his sword point barely a foot from her body, she drew her katana and stepped to the right, the man's aim going to her left. She held her blade to her left, vertical by her left shoulder and pushed out, forcing the man's blade away from her. She used the momentum of this to roll around his body and release a single hand from her katana. She pulled her wakizashi from her belt with her free hand and spun around once more, aiming the shorter blade for the man's back. She held it tightly and plummetted the blade deep into the man's back. He screamed and she withdrew her blade, jumping away from him and holding both blades in her hands, watching as the man's body fell. Some blood splatters had created small patches on her face and kimono, a frown on her face as she regarded the fallen Ishin as he bled to death on the ground. She soon turned back to the group to see if anyone else was going to rush her.

In the instant between her opponent's attack and her counter-attack, the rest of the Ishin Shishi had fallen. The last attack came almost simultaneously for them all, the only sound was the gurgling gasp of the man that slid off Zan's blade. The Aizu and Shinsengumi stood over the bodies as though in judgement, blood quickly soaking into the dry wood of the platform, each living man expressionless in a strange ecstacy of survival. Each copse held an empty look of pain. Shinritsu was the first to speak, his voice sawed through the cool silence with its roughened tone.

"Good job. We will take Sakuma-sama into town when he arrives. You Shinsengumi will get this cleaned up..."

"Maa, Kangen-kun, you haven't even introduced us, that's bad manners..." The elder of the two Shinsengumi said as he cleaned his blade of blood. "Shinsengumi no Nagakura Shinpachi da na," He said with a laconic grin. The younger, too, smiled, and with a polite bow introduced himself as well.

"Shinsengumi no ichiban taichou, Okita Souji desu." The three men ignored Shinritsu's commands in favor of waiting with the three Aizu. Shinritsu shifted uncomfortable. Zan was just Zan.

"There were ten, but they weren't too strong, na. The two of us probably could've finished this alone." Okita nodded, trying to wipe the blood clean from his face.

"Hai. But it's always good to have more, ne."

"I could only kill two," Zan pouted.

"Sa, you two aren't bad. Maybe next time we get a real fight we'll invite you along." Shinritsu seemed as though he would like to strangle Nagakura.

"Perhaps we'll invite you into the main Aizu someday," He said with a stare. Okita smiled. Either too slow to catch the insult, or too assured to acknowledge it.

"That's kind of you, na." Each of them moved as they fought, Keioko could now see. Saitou with an immoveable force, Okita with subtle grace, and Nagakura with an efficiency that left no errors. Keioko's eloquent work had been slow in comparison. She again felt Saitou's look across the bodies that lay between them. Without a word, he turned towards to watch the forrest, lighting his pipe to enjoy the scenery. Okita held up the small square of cloth to Keioko a gentle smile.

"You are bloody, ne."

Keioko was still standing there ith both blades in her hands at her sides, looking around carefully. It took a minute to sink in that it was all over, but she eventually released the breath she'd been holding and took another once to relax her racing heart. She listened to the conversations, the thought to put her blades away never occurring to her. It was when Okita walked up to her did she become more self-concious and realzed she held her blades with a white knuckled grip, let alone holding both of them. She stared at him for a long moment before her eyes widened slightly a small blush tinted her cheeks.

"Ah, I am...?" She smiled softly with a polite bow, then she sheathed her katana, which was untainted by the blood. She reached out and took her cloth in her right hand with a small, grateful smile as she wiped her face, trying to get off the majority of the blood. She looked at Okita after doing so. She held her dripping wakizashi in her left hand.

"Did I get it all?" He was a very handsome person, this Okita from Shinsengumi. He seemed to be barely older than she was. She hadn't seen his swordsmanship, but had a feeling it was quite good. He survived the attack after all, so he much be good. As she asked this question, she held out her face so he could examine it to see if all the blood was wiped off.

"Chotto..." He took the cloth from her and, wiped a last bit of blood from her face with care and gave a nodding smile that she was clean. He focused on the cloth in his hands, folding it to find a clean spot as he spoke. "It would've happened anyways, ne," He said, his voice confidential, serious in its soft way, and low enough that it was only meant for her. He didn't seem to be refering to the cloth. Where Saitou's gaze pierced, his took in everything. "Ruined, ne." He held up the cloth with a smile and a shrug. "You can use it for your blade too, if you would like." The alternative was to use the kimono from the slain men. The others had begun to talk in small groups.

"Oi, Okita, I'm hungry. Let's get udon!" Shinpachi called. He turned and laughed.

"You're always hungry, Shinpachi-san! Hai, ikimashou..." He turned back to Keioko as he stepped away. "Sore de wa...ja mata, ne," He had a quietly feminine compared to his compatriots, not effeminite, but as delicate as his words. The three Shinsengumi were off the platform by the time she realized she hadn't introduced herself.

The remaining two Aizu watched them go. "Ah! Look at how they act. They're annoying. They aren't even a percentage of the Aizu, but they still think they're important," Shinritsu muttered. Zan wordlessly voiced agreement, though he never seemed to be listening to what he was agreeing to.

*ikimashou - let's go, polite
*sore de wa - well then
From last post:
*ichiban/niban -first, second
*taichuu - leader(maybe also be taishou)

(ooc: Just in case you ever need it, you did see a single move in the combat. Okita's attack: The last to speak hadn't moved at all, but his partner struck. It was hypnotic: the feint, in one blink he was defenseless, the next, his blade was soaked in blood, bent in a low lunge. His opponent hadn't even the time to raise his already unsheathed sword.)

Keioko was blushing, and she had not yet realized it as she stood there and watched them leave with Okita's cloth in her hand. She soon broke from her daze and gently shook her head. She folded the cloth so there weren't any dirty sides on the outside, and she slipped it into her kimono. She walked over to the man she'd killed and bent down, wiping her wakizashi on his kimono, making sure every last bit of blood was off before she stood and sheathed it.

Sighing softly, taking in a deep breath and releasing it, she walked over to Shinritsu, Zan and Saitou. She was a tad dissappointed that she or the other Aizu weren't invited to go with them to get something to eat, but either way. She listened to Shinritsu's comment about the Shinsengumi, and didn't really find this to be very true. She didn't find them annoying, morely carefree and fun-loving. She smiled gently at this thought. In truth, she'd rather be part of the Shinsengumi to be a bit closer to Okita, and get away from Zan. But she was with the Aizu, and should be grateful that she was here in the first place. By now, the blush had faded from her pale cheeks as she stood by the other Aizu.

"I want you to see the person who's coming today, Makai-kun. You and Zan are different. I think you need a reason to fight. I think you'll understand why we can't let a single Ishin escape once you meet him, ok?" Shinritsu spoke proudly of his purpose, and spoke as if to impart it onto a younger brother. Zan, for all his imitation of Shinritsu, didn't share in this. After a minute's silence, he grew antsy.

"Jaa, if he's gotta wait here, can I go back then?" He complained.

"Go. We have undercover agents coming to guard him anyways. We only needed to be here for the arrival." With a look a relief, Zan hurried back into the city, and then it was Keioko and Shinritsu alone.

He never made small talk, though what he had to say was often very prejudiced in his favor, it was always impassioned. The look he gave the forrest, commanding it to spew the carriage out, was the same as when he spoke to Keioko, always seeking something greater.

At last the carriage came into view, unhurried in its jaunty ride to the two Aizu. It pulled to a stop, and the driver opened the door. Shinritsu approached quickly, the tension of meeting an important man, the desire to make a good impression, weighing on him. Before the door had opened, he was in a full, deep bow. The first person down the steps, however, was Rin. Shinritsu didn't notice until she called back into the luxurious carriage.

"Ojiisan! Lemme get your luggage!" Her tone was completely different from what Keioko was used to, and her brightly cheerful kimono was nothing like the serious browns she usually wore. Keioko hadn't seen the girl in a week, and suddenly, it was unclear whether this was the sober child, or her carefree twin. Shinritsu turned red when he realized who he was bowing to. An elderly man made his way carefully down the steps, laughing at Rin's antics.

"Don't worry, child, you don't need to repay me. Just get to your home safely, na." His kind face pushed through the obscuring curtain on the carriage door, and the contentment of the sun on his face only lasted long enough for him to see the bodies strewn about. "Child, come back!" He called urgently. For the first time, Rin noticed the bodies. Her dies grew wide and she ran to the old man.

"Kowai, ojiisan!" She cried and hid her face against his legs. He turned at last to Shinritsu and Keioko.

"What's been going on here?" His aged voice took deep tones of concern.

"An assassination attempt we stopped, Sakuma-sama," Shinritsu said quietly, but proudly. He didn't seem to see the issue.

"There is a child here, she shouldn't see this so young!" The command was not angry, forcefull. He expected it to be obeyed. Shinritsu, however, was at a loss.

Keioko stepped forwards with a full, ninety-degree bow and a small smile. Clearing her throat gently, she spoke to Sakuma.

"Please excuse me, Sakuma-sama, but it was unaviodable that we ensure your safe arrical by any means necessary. If you wish, I can wait inside the carriage with the young one until the clean-up crew arrives?" A small smile was ever present on her face as she spoke, a small nod of the head towards the girl as she was mentioned. Kei had to hand it to her, Rin pur on quite the believeable act.

"Ii. You are Shinritsu's assistant, na?" Sakuma asked in a warm appraisal of Keioko as she bowed. "Yes. Take the girl inside. They should be here soon, shouldn't they, Shinritsu-san?" He asked suggestively. Shinritsu bowed again.

"Hai. Soon Sakuma-sama!" He called. Two more men stepped out of the carriage, strong, confident, with swords at their sides. They looked calmly at the massacre, their emotions hiden behind hard faces. Rin timidly took Keioko's hand and pulled her towards the carriage.

"I will be there in a moment, Rin-chan," Sakuma said and turned to speak with Shinritsu as Rin led her through the dark draping. It took a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the dim light of the interior. The finely upholstered seats were nothing like the cramped carriage she had arrived in. Rin had climbed onto a seat and leaned her ear against the slightly cracked window. She was listening in on Shinritsu and Sakuma. The energetic facade disappear and Keioko could immediatly recognized the serious look Rin usually held. Her feet swung a food above the floor boards, partieally concealed in her kimono.

"Konnichiha, Matsukaze-san," She said under her breath, as careful not to miss overhearing a word as she was to conceal both their identities. "Is that your leader? Hazu said there was another too..." She sniffed the air delicatly and looked at, cocking her head to one side. "You smell like blood Matsukaze-san. Was this your fight?" She asked curiously, but turned away again to listen outside.

An embarrassed smile lifted Kei's lips as she nodded gently to Rin's question.

"Hai, it kinda was.... Rin-san..." She murmured quietly. "I only killed one, and only to preserve my own life... Even so I'm a bit upset about killing the Ishins..." A soft sigh escaped her lips and she leaned back against the cushioned carriage, closing her eyes briefly. She lifted up the sleeve of her kimono and sniffed gently, making a disgusted face.

"You're right, I do smell like blood... Blech..." She wrinkled her nose, sticking out her tongue partially.

"Ano.. Rin-san... I wanted to apologise for a few weeks ago... You know, when I hugged you..." Keioko looked a bit ashamed, not making eye contact with the girl, but instead looking off to the side.

"That's ok," Rin shrugged in the simple way of a child. "I talked to Kawa-sama about it, and he said that he thought you seemed friendly, and that you just wanted to be nice. So I'm sorry I was rude too." She didn't move away from the window, mumbling things softly under her breath with the intent look of committing facts to memory. Though her attention was outside, still she responded to Keioko.

"I don't mind. Kawa-sama smells like blood a lot, but Miran never did, so I was just surprised." The bodies didn't disturb her from peering out to learn as much as she could, and when Keioko spoke of their deaths, she just shrugged. Possibly, she simply didn't understand that she too was Ishin Shishi.

The door to the carriage swung open again, and the elderly man's face appeared with a kindly smile to Rin, and a nod to Keioko.

"Tenshi-kun desu ne. Thank you for watching the girl. It is as important to care for her as to strike our enemies down, na. It is ok to come out."

Keioko smiled to Rin, happy that things were cleared up between them. She really did hope they could be better friends, instead of being so tense around each other. Once the door opened, Kei's gaze shifted over to the doorway, to the man. She bowed her head in acknowledgement and gestured for Rin to go out. She followed her out and stepped to the side, folding her arms inside her sleeves.

"It was no problem. She's a sweet one..." She smiled warmly and bowed again, then glanced around to see the area clean of bodies and the majority of the blood. She reverted her gaze back to the man. "I trust you are well Sakuma-sama?"

"Un...but I will be better when all this is over. When there is stability, maybe people will come to accept foreigners. Strange things frighten people when they can't even be sure of their own lives. I'm sure you understand espcially well how that is, Tenshi-kun. But what can we do but continue, and hope they understand out best efforts, na." He smiled and nodded to Shinritsu. "Good job today. I trust the rest of the day to you and my bodyguards. It was a pleasure, Tenshi-kun. Rin-chan. Shitsureishimasu." He gave a short bow, and began towards the city. Shinritsu bowed deeply, then waited until he was almost out of sight before approaching Keioko.

"He's a great man, Makai-kun. We have protection for him, so you can relax if you like. Good work." He bowed quickly to her as well, and began to take his own leave. Rin stood patiently by her side, watching the two leaders disappear.

Keioko bowed in response to Sakuma as he turned to leave, then looked to Shinritsu. She smiled softly with a nod and a slightly more shallow bow in thanks.

Arigato, Shinritsu-san..." She would remain where she was until Shinrsitsu was out of earshot before releasing a heavy sigh and relaxing her pose.

"I really didn't like that..."

"He's a nice man. Are you ready, Matsukaze-san? We have to get home to prepare," Rin said in a matter-of-fact tone and began to follow the others. "Kawa-sama already left, so he'll want tea soon..." She said as though they were both late for an appointment, her short legs carrying her ahead, she turned back to Keioko impatiently, awaiting

"H-hai..." She muttered gently before jogging up to Rin and walking beside her back to wherever they were to go. Kei felt like spending the night at her own home tonight, and seeing Hazu, Oyama, Megumi, and hopefully Kawa, would be somewhat refreshing. She needed a bath either way, and home was the safest place.

Rin nodded and lead Keioko back into the city. Although the relief at the end of the battle had come for the Aizu, the city didn't yet agree. The hush remained. The vendors who lined the street of their base, usually so enthusiastic in pushing their wares on passers-by seemed to barely stand, their tired bodies held up as though by invisible wire. Only the brightly decorated buildings stood out, every lively, in the soft light of the day.

Inside the home, however, the breath of life came. The doors to the main room were flung wide, and the daylight filled the room with a yellow glow over the piles of clothes, and gleamed off the silvery metal of weapons. In the center, stood the low table with flowers overflowing from a vase. Hazu sat behind it. Rin scampered ahead of Keioko to greet the other servant.

"Hazu-kun, mou, you are lazy! You should've been there," Rin scolded.

"Na, Rin-chan...senpai!" He rose from his seat with a smile and jogged to her. "Ne, How are you...how was it? I was worried when I saw that other man at the inn. Kowai ne," He said, his eyes growing large. "But, daijoubu ne." From the stairs to Oyama's someone stumbled, caught themselves, then continued. Megumi turned the corner.

"Kei-chan...hisashiburi ne," She smiled slowly, possibly drunkenly, straightening her kimono as she approached. "Or is it still Makai-kun. Doesn't your voice hurt talking that way all the time?" Despite her state, she was in a good mood. "Oyama want's to talk to you after you're done here, ok dear?" She approached behind Hazu, putting her arms on his shoulders either affectionately, or to hold herself upright.


*daijoubu - fine, it's allright
*hisashiburi - it's been a long time
*dear - anta(that's right english to japanese translations too. hehe)

Keioko was relieved to be back in the home, a warm smile constantly on her face. she bowed politely to Hazu and Megumi as they greeted her.

"Don't worry yourself Hazu-kun, I'm fine, and he's not that scary. Maybe a bit serious, but not scary..." She laughed gently and ruffled Hazu's hair before turning to Megumi and bowing politely. "Thank you Megumi-san, but it's Kei-chan here. It's only Makai-kun outside the home and in questionable company. Anyways, I guess I should be going to see Oyama then, ne." She smiled and bowed once more to the three of them before making her way up the stairs to Oyama's room. She kneeled in front of the door and tapped the doorframe in a specific pattern. She'd made it clear with Oyama so that when she knocked this certain way, she wouldn't have to announce herself.

"Hairu," Oyama's deep voice emmanated from the room. As she entered, his face shifted from serious to pleasant and he nodded her in. "Okaeri nasai, Keioko-chan! Kawa has been telling me of your activity, but I'm glad to see you back here to speak personally. Being amongst the enemy so long must be tiring. I had hoped you would relax before coming to see me but...maybe I am getting soft in my old age," He laughed. Hazu opened the door and brought tea in with the quiet steps of the help not wishing to disturb one's patron. He poured a cup for both Oyama and Keioko before disappearing again unobtrusively.

"I understand you had a conflict today. Are you alright?" He asked with a parental concern, though a tension lurked behind it. With a sip of his tea, he listened to her report.

*hairu – enter

Keioko bowed to Oyama once she kneeled down in front of him, still smiling gently. "Yes, it's quite tiring. But I do have to say. Saitou Hajime knows I am female." She frowned, nodding to Hazu and whispering a gentle thanks as he poured her tea. She glanced down at the cup, then looked back up to Oyama.

"Other than that, yes I'm alright. I had a run-in with some Shinsengumi today also, with two called Shinpachi and Okita..."

"That is a problem," Oyama frowned. "How did he find out? What do you think he will do?" He spoke as though already familiar with Saitou. "If you are discovered after what happenned today, you may be considered an enemy by some on both sides. Of course, ninja are not subject to samurai rules of honor, but ninja aren't usually alive once they're found out for that to be tested. Take care, Keioko-chan," He frowned in concern, unusually serious, but just as quickly smiled. "But you did what you had to, na. Kawa has already reported to me about it." He took another drink of his tea, finishing it he looked at the empty cup discontentedly.

"I always prefer sake. Even when you're finished, it still effects you, na!" He laughed.

"Sou ka. So the Shinsengumi were out in force, were they. What was your impression of them? Also, you met Sakuma Shouzan today, ne." He asked, toying idly with the cup, one eye on her, guaging her reactions constantly.

Keioko bowed with a small nod. "Yes sir, I will be careful. I don't think he will do anything. He just knew I was female. I haev been keeping my guard up and have been very careful about what I do around him since." She straightened up and reached for her cup, sipping at her tea quietly. After setting it down, she smiled.

"I don't understand how one can drink so much and still repeat the process the next night. It doesn't feel pleasant. I got drunk two weeks back when I first stayed with the Aizu... It wasn't a nice experience... Being drunk, that is." She smiled embarrassedly and drank down the rest of her tea, then cleared her throat.

"Yes, I did meet him. They're a small group, but the've got skilled samurai with them. Especially this Okita person... He's very strong..."

"You don't like to drink...I should put you on assignment in an izakaya until you learn!" He laughed loudly, his usual laugh, for the first time. "Drinking sake is an art, Keioko-chan. Of course you couldn't enjoy it with the Aizu. Do you expect beauty from a painter stuck in a garbage dump?" He laughed again, harder. The door opened again. Megumi entered with a smile on her face.

"What are you laughing about so loudly, ojiichan?" She interrogated lightly. Her slow, over-ly careful movements came to an end when she drapped herself against his back, her arms around his neck as though he would carry her piggy-back.

"Keioko-chan wants tips on learning to drink!" He roared, enjoying himself, even if he had changed her words.

"Well you came to the right place for that, dear. The secret is drinking with someone who makes you feel at home, someone you can say anything to, ne Oyama-san," Megumi smiled contentedly and patted his head like a giant, comfortable bear.

"Or just someone you'd like to--" Megumi slapped the back of his head before he could finish his thought and he erupted in laughter.

"Mou, chikan!" She scolded, and slid down him to sit at his side. Finally Oyama returned to more serious subjects.

"Tonikaku, the Shinsengumi, espeically Okita Souji, are not people to get too much involved with. Kawa has been watching them the last few weeks. They are dangerous, Keioko-chan. If Saitou Hajime has already noticed you, make sure you make no mistakes. They will kill without a second thought...but that brings me to the reason we called you here. Sakuma Shouzan. Already there was an assassination attempt, as you know. But Zuizan-sama has notified us: We are to set him up for a hitokiri. You and Kawa will clear the way, as he will probably have protection. Disguise yourself so the Aizu will not recognize you. All eyes will be on this man, he is a minister, and any mistake will be grave. Kawa is preparing now. Wakatta?" He finished in a firm tone as Megumi poured sake into his tea cup his eyes did not deviate from Keioko while he waited for her response.

*izakaya - japanese style bar
*chikan - pervert, dirty old man
*tonikaku – anyways

Keioko bowed deeply with a small nod.

"Hai, Oyama-san, wakarimashite." She straightened up and remained seated, a small frown apparant on her face despite his and Megumi's antics previously. She was worried about the up and coming events, wondering what was going to happen and how this would affect her in the long run. A perk though, was that she was able to work with Kawa.

Oyama returned her bow and took a sip of his sake. Megumi had occupied herself with pouring her own drink. "Good. We know he will visit the Aizu base briefly. You should be able to follow him from there." He studied her face a moment before speaking again. "Does something bother you, Keioko-san?" He asked again with the seriousness of a parent. Megumi rose, unwilling to sit anywhere for too long where there might be serious business. She ran one hand through Keioko's hair playfully without looking as she made her way out the door.

Keioko smiled gently as she looked towards the ground, listening as Megumi left. She didn't speak until the door was closed, and she looked up to meet Oyama's gaze directly.

"Ano... Why are we to clear the way? Why don't Kawa0san or I just get him?" She felt somewhat impudent for asking such a thing, but she had to know. However, she figured she'd get more information from Kawa later on

Oyama nodded soberly, thinking for a long moment before responding. "Keioko-san, as a child, were you afraid of the dark?" He asked suddenly.

She was a bit taken aback by the sudden question, a little confused at first, but she answered quietly.

"Yes, I was..."

"Mochiron. Everyone is afraid of the dark as a child. Even Rin, and she has seen worse things than any child I know. Do you know why? It is because you are afraid of what you can't see. It isn't the dark that hides your eyes that you fear, it's what is beyond it. Men, adults, don't fear the dark, but there is always a child still hiding within, na. The ninja is darkness itself. You exist as nothing but a shadow in people's minds. You are the darkness, but a hitokiri is what is behind the darkness. A man killed by the shadows fades into them, and fades away, but a man killed by a monster proves to the children hiding inside those men that there are still things behind the darkness that they can't control, fix, or save themselves from. Did you know that Sakuma was Kido Koin's mentor? We will assassinate the man who taught the leader of the Choshu, for no other reason than that he is a part of the emperor's government. A death like that must be remembered...Now do you understand, Keioko-san?" He had taken the more formal title for her as he continued to speak, leaving his cup forgotten by his side.

A small smile graced her pouting lips as she nodded.

"Yes, I understand, and I thank you for explaining it to me in such a beautiful way."

Oyama laughed and actually blushed. "I stole it," He confessed. "When Kawa drinks, he grows poetic. Don't tell him I told you though! I just have a very good memory...but I hope that satisfies you. Honestly, I didn't expect to recieve a kunoichi in a position to be able to ask a question like that. Sate! If that is all, go prepare, Keioko-chan. You will be busy today, I think." With that, he poured his own cup of sake and drank it in a toast to her. From below, the sounds of the others beckoned to her in a happy din of Megumi teasing Hazu, and Rin trying to maintain order.

*sate - well!

Keioko giggled gently, hiding her mouth behind the sleeve of her haori. She grinned over at him, her eyes twinkling. I'll have to see Kawa drunk then. I'd love to hear what else comes from his mouth... Keioko bowed and stood up, heading to the door. At the door, she turned and glanced back at Oyama with a smile.

"Arigato, Oyama-san." She bowed her head politely before leaving through the door and practically skipping down the stairs and hallway. She was smiling, thinking of what Oyama said about Kawa. She giggled again at this thought.

"Waaaiii..." She murmured under her breath.

Oyama smiled and bowed in good-bye as she left, only to be welcomed by those in the room below. The others sat drinking tea from the set Rin had commandeered from Hazu, serving while she tried to demonstrate carefully the finer points of tea ceremony as Hazu talked with Megumi. They all turned to her as she descended the stairs.

"Okaeri," Megumi said with a smile. Hazu rose to his feet respectfully to approach her before he spoke.

"Would you like anything to eat before you prepare, senpai?" He asked, then paused with a helpless laugh. "What are you going to prepare for?" Rin, too, had risen, and disappeared into the hall as though Keioko's return was a cue.

Keioko bowed in return to the greeting as she made her way back into the room with the rest of them. She thanked Megumi for her greeting and smiled to Rin and Hazu.

"If you're that interested go ask Oyama-san.." She grinned at him, playfully sticking out her tongue and taking a seat. "Could I have a few dumplings and some tea before I go?" She glanced out the corner of her eye to watch Rin leave. She's probably going to let Kawa know I'm back downstairs. Either that or to help him finish preparing."

"Naa, don't tease me, senpai! Kumo's starting to rub off on you," He groused, but just as quickly brightened again. "Hai, I'll get some for you...senpai...your clothes are dirty! Please go change before you eat food, it's unhealthy, na!" He ordered with his hands on his hips, almost a perfect impression of an extremely polite Kano. He turned to prepare her food, and Megumi smiled after him.

"That boy, is clean," She laughed, turning to Keioko. <Purple>"I heard you'll work with a hitokiri today, ne. Saa, I wonder which..."</Blue> She shrugged and set out an empty cup, filling it with tea for Keioko. "Hazu'll be busy running around," She explained, and motioned for her to sit. From the back hall, a door slid open, and the murmur of Rin's voice could be heard, placating.

Keioko laughed gently. "Hazu's right, I should get changed. Be right back." She quickly bowed and jogged through the hallway to her room, slipping inside as quickly and quietly as she could. If Rin and Kawa weren't paying, they'd probably see a hurried blur and the sounds of scuffling inside the room. Keioko changed into what she'd wear with Kawa, a pair of karate-like pants, black in colour and a rather tight fitting yukata. She tucked it all in and slipped some bracers onto her calves, ending at her ankles and some onto her forearms, tucking the sleeves of her yukata into them. She pulled on a pair of tabi boots and grabbed a scarf, setting it around her neck to hang down the back. It nearly covered the lower half of her face, but it was too loose around her neck.

Her hair was still down, but she had a headband to put on to hold her bangs back and cover her forehead with a metal protector. This headband was tucked into the obi holding her pants up, the two extra ends of the obi hanging losely down to her knees and moving as she did. Carefully checking she had everything, she left the room and headed back to the table with a much slower pace, her stomach grumbling slightly. Come to think of it, she'd not eaten much today. It seemed that she barely had time to eat at all lately.

As Keioko exited her room, Rin slid the door of Kawa's open, her master like a silhouette behind her. Briefly, she could see into his sparely decorated room. Although it had none of the warmth that Hazu had determinedly instilled into her room, the formal, clean lines of the wood were only interrupted by a single prayer scribbled in kanji on the wall itself. The door shut before she had a chance to read it, and the two, servant and master, looked back stoically.

It was the first time she had seen Kawa not dressed totally in black. The dark blue of his haori revealed a hazel color in his eyes hidden by the darkness she had always seen him in. Though locks of hair obscured his features, his gaze was penetrating, as steady as Saitou's had been, but without the sharpness. The blades of his perception were turned inwards.

"Matsukaze-san," Rin said in greeting, as though in Kawa's stead. She bowed and scurried back to the table to prepare tea. Kawa too nodded, watching Rin run off before his attention returned to Keioko as he entered the main room. She could not tell if he carried weapons, but bore no armor. Except for the searching look on his face, he could have been an average person. It seemed as though he would say something, but remained silent as he knelt by the table, leaving space for her. Rin lay a tea up in his sure hand and Hazu brought Keioko her food. At last, his calm, sure voice undercut the general noise of the others. He spoke, of course, about business.

"Rin overheard Shinritsu say that there would be three ninja watching him, Matsukaze-san. We will have to be fast to not alert him..." As he sipped his tea, Megumi interjected.

"Who is your hitokiri this time?"

"Kawakami-san," He replied without looking up.

"Sou...well, Kei-chan, at least you'll have something pretty to look at as a reward," Megumi said with a laugh.

Keioko's demeanor became more serious, as it usually did in Kawa's prescence. She knelt down quietly beside Kawa and nodded her head to Hazu when he brought her the dumplings. She said a quiet thanks and ate one quietly before Kawa spoke. She nodded to his explaination, sipping her own tea, then eating another dumpling. She nearly choked at Megumi's comment. She quickly cleared her throat and drank down the rest of her tea to prevent herself from coughing.

"Excuse me?"

"Oh he's so pretty, Kei-chan. Don't let Kawa dissuade you either. If you get a chance with him, take it, na!" Kawa didn't seem to be effected at all, but both Rin and Hazu turned bright red.

"Megumi-san!" Was all Hazu could think to say, but Rin was far better at scolding.

"I don't think he's attractive at all, and Matsukaze-san is too professional to be...flirting while working!" Megumi ignored them all to stay on the topic at hand.

"Rin just doesn't like him because Kawa and he had that little fight, but you could do worse..." She raised her eyebrows in suggestion. Kawa finally spoke without looking up from his tea.

"He has no personality, Megumi-san," He said neutrally.

"All the better, Kawa-kun," She said deliberately. She was teasing him, though how or why was unclear. He seemed to take no notice. The dumplings, in any case, were delicious.

Keioko also turned a various shade of red, staring down at the table as she listened to Megumi, Hazu, Rin and Kawa speak so familiarily. Keioko wasn't all that familiar with everyone yet, but she figured she'd try. Maybe she could attempt to crack a joke.

"Gomen, Rin-san, demoooo, Kawa-san, it doesn't seem like you have much of one either..." She didn't look at him as she said this, but her voice sounded completely serious. Her face however, told a different story, a picture paninted with red. To avoid speaking right away, she slipped another dumplnig into her mouth and closed her eyes.

"But then again. I'll just have to find out for myself, without everyone else's biased opinions."








For the space of three seconds, the only sound was Kawa sipping his tea. Then Megumi exploded in laughter, actually dropping her prized sake as she rolled on the ground. Hazu looked nervously at Rin for only a few minutes more, before a helpless grin slowly crept up his face, and his laugh grew progressively less stiffled, until he too was laughing on the ground with Megumi. Rin, however, was speechless. At first she could only stomp her foot into the ground and point. At last she found her voice. Trying to sound vengeful as an eight year old was difficult.

"Matsu-- Megumi...Hazu! I-- he does too have a personality and...YOU don't have a personality! I-- ah!" She stomped away in frustration and turned back with a glare. "I'll get you back, Matsukaze!" She stalked from the room, slamming the sliding door as loudly as she could. Only Kawa remained seated and calm.

"Matsukaze-san...It seems your cover has been compromised," He said in his same tone, though a light had gently, for just a moment, entered his eyes. He sipped his tea.

Megumi and Hazu had finally recovered, sprawled over the floor. Hazu staggered to his feet and wandered towards Kawa's room. "I'll make sure she isn't sharpening anything," He said with a laugh.

"Tell her to start sharpening Kawa's wit!" Megumi called after him and broke down again, tears in her eyes. "Kei-chan, with you and Kazuo here, I think you may give little Rin-chan a heart attack." She poured herself another drink, traces of humor still returning to her.

 
Keioko bit her lower lip to prevent herself from laughing, only allowing a few small giggles to escape her lips as Rin stormed off. "Poor thing, she's so serious. I'm afraid now..." She was of course, referring to Rin's threat of "I'll get you back!". Keioko grinned slightly and poured herself some more tea.

"And yes, Kawa-san, it might be, it might not be, she's smarter than that." She sighed softly and drank down her tea, leaving half the cup.
 
"Don't worry, Kei-chan, I think the only person she isn't plotting revenge on is Kawa, and that's just because he doesn't say anything. Ever. Maybe you'll have better luck than us, ne," Megumi nodded once more to them both and grinned at Keioko. Slowly ascending the stairs to Oyama's room, She called out to him in drunken lover's tones. As the door shut, Kawa closed his eyes and finished his tea.

"Are you ready?" He asked as he stood. The moment he reached his feet, Hazu returned with Rin trailing behind.

"Weapons, senpai? Do you need anything more?" Hazu asked, already moving to the racks and piles. Rin still pouted, but waited on Kawa.

 
"Hai, Kawa-san, Hazu, I need Suzume and Kasumi." Those were the names of her two ninjatos. A while back, Kei briefed Hazu on the names of her weapons so he would get them for her. For the rest, she wanted to get herself. She asked Kawa to wait a few minutes while she went back to the room and grabbed a few more things. Among those were her kunai and shuriken pouches, as well as her wired pouch for a special technique she had a feeling she'd need to use tonight. After securing everything, Keioko adjusted the dark scarf around her neck and made sure her headband was still inside her obi before nodding to Hazu.

 
Hazu came quickly with her two blades and presented them somewhat formally. As she readied herself, he followed, trying a few times to speak before actually getting the words out. Kawa waited patiently by the stairs.

"Ano...senpai, do you think...can I come with you this time?" He asked quietly, running one hand through his hair in a nervous gesture as she concealed her weapons on herself. He nodded back to her approvingly as she finished, checking to ensure everything was in place.


She paused in her checks and her sapphire gaze slowly drifted over to Hazu.

"I don't want you to get hurt, so I don't want to find you anywhere near where we're going." She frowned gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. Maybe she should talk to Oyama about getting Hazu reassigned. Having a servant was nice, but she didn't prefer it. She looked him in the eyes, blinking slowly before removing her hand from his shoulder to fall to her side.

"You wouldn't happen to have any of that mixture do you?"
 
Hazu didn't look very satisfied with her answer, but nodded in acceptance. "Aa, hai. I have some with me." He hurried off and when the padding of his feet returned, he again held the small vial of liquid. This time he was more serious and he moved close to her, directing her to hold her head up. His hands were gentle as they steadied her face and let the single drop of clear liquid fall warm into her eye, almost soothing with its foreign warmth. As he dropped the second, he spoke.

"Senpai...these won't just be Aizu, ne. They wouldn't send just soldiers who'll be surprised easily. And they know you're coming...it's dangerous. Be careful...Working with hitokiri's is always dangerous, but this one...Ja, what am I saying," He laughed suddenly, easily, but too quickly. "You'll be fine, na. I saw you work before, you're too fast even for good Aizu." He hid the vial again in his sleeve and bowed to her before he left. "Ganbatte, Senpai."

Keioko blinked a few times to ease the liquid into her eyes, then looked at Hazu with a smile. "Thank you Hazu, I appreciate it. It's the danger of this mission is the reason I don't want you to come." Keioko's hackles rose slightly as Hazu described what she was going up against, and she felt grateful that he was looking out for her and telling her what to expect. She smiled at him as he left. She turned back to kawa with a slight nod to let him know she was ready to go.

This time, the effects came suddenly and strong. All Keioko's senses elevated so that by the time she turned to Kawa, she had to catch her breath at the beauty of his movements. Nothing second-guessed or false, he made turning towards the stairs an art. Only then, as he floated down the stairs, fading in with the wall as though a chameleon unintentionally obfuscating himself, did she notice his weapons. Under his haori lay two sai, only revealing themselves in a slight stiffness in his otherwise fluid movement. Despite the strange sensation of watching him fade from view, her sense of him was firm, almost as though she could see him move before he did, the mechanics of his ingrained stealth.

The street had exploded in noise. As if the morning had been a collective drawing in of breath, this was the exhalation of calls to buy, look, anything. The frenzy was directed at the crowds that had found their courage to come out, and all the chaos covered both her and Kawa's enterance. Without trying, they were invisible. It was the difference between walking with Hazu, and walking with Kawa. The stoic man walked at her side, steadily through the crowd. Somehow, through the din, his strong voice reached her, and the faceless people faded away until they were wrapped in their own dark cocoon. Somehow, it was reminiscent of the priest.

"Rin said there will be three men hidden, besides the bodyguards. They will probably seem ordinary citizens. Do you think you will be able to spot them?" His voice seemed to express him perfectly, as though slipping into its depths he might disappear.

 
Keioko was grinning slightly, the effects of the potion giving her even more of a respect for her co-worker, perhaps now partner. She perked somewhat as her ears tasted the smooth chocolate voice that formed themselves into words that left his lips. Her now-dark eyes moved over to glance at him through her peripheral vision, not turnign her head to look at him. She blinked a few times, then nodded slightly before responding.

"I should be able to, though they will most likely be professionals at what they do and will go to lengths to hide themselves and appear normal."

They neared Kano's inn almost too quickly. From the side, she could see Kawa give an imperceptible nod of agreement. He was all voice now, perhaps as they walked through the dimly seen crowd only the soft rumbling murmur of his words, and her measured responses could be percieved. Two ghosts floating through Kyoto.

"You have heard of the murders? The man stalking Ishin Shishi? Eleven have died in the last week. You remember Satsutenchuu? The death of heaven's revenge?" The front of the inn appeared, and Kawa hung back, looking at some wares across the street. Though he seemed immaterial, which his eyes cast over her, their impenentrability was a constant she could hold on to.

 
"Hai, I remember Satsutenchuu, but theres a man stalking the Ishin Shishi? I've not heard of that...Not until now at least." She said gently, her voice soft but somewhat deepend from the habit she'd formed working within the Aizu. She remained by his side, her arms at her sides, her shoulders relaxed, she even slouched slightly in a relaxed posture, a complete opposite of the man beside her. Her gaze folowed his as she spoke, drifting over the various shops and their goods for sale.


"They are here...waiting," He breathed, and the street closed in on them. "Satsutenchuu, he is stalking the Ishin Shishi. I went to the address you were able to find, and there were Aizu, but none as strong as this man is supposed to be. He will have heard of the strike this morning," Never changing pitch or volume, his voice was destined only for her. "If we see him, what will you do?" He actually sounded curious. As her voice deepened, she swore she could hear humor on his lips, as if from some inside joke, swirling around her with the anonymous crowd.


Keioko narrowed her eyes at him slightly, noticing how her voice deepened and she cleared her throat. Was he laughing at her? Obviously not outwardly, but perhaps in his mind... She gently shook her head in thought.

"I'm not quite sure. it depends on what the cirumstances present, but I think it best to avoid him if such is possible..." She glanced at him, her head actually turning.

"Why? What will you do?"

Kawa turned to face her as he answered and Keioko could see the myriad of emotions that flowed through his face with each thought, none permanant, none overwhelming, just a subtle sense of him as a whole broken down into pieces. "I was trying to decide as well. If we see him though, we will have to...it's Sakuma," He said without motioning. He slipped by her to follow the minister. The two bodyguards were obvious, and they would not be able to get to them without alerting Sakuma himself. After they had begun to tail at a distance their target, Kawa spoke again, his cadence never changing, though his sharp eyes picked through the crowds.

"I saw you fight this morning."
 
Keioko released a heavy breath and continued to walk beside Kawa, her own eyes attempting to find the disguised-as-civilian guards. A small lifted the corners of her mouth and she closed her eyes momentarily before reopening them

"Did you now?" She chuckled gently, smiling ever so slightly as she glanced to Kawa, then back to the crowds.

 
"Aa, I did. I was following the Shinsengumi. Those men were part of Kumo's gang. You were...efficient." He said, the earthen colors of his voice holding too many nuances to separate feelings, both positive and negative. The first man, Kawa spotted almost immediately, directing her attention across the street. "The man who just bumped into that vendor...he is in a hurry." It seemed a tenuous lead, but in this those subtle tones in his voice coalesced into assuredness.


Keioko glanced at the hurried man out of the corner of her eyes, then drew her gaze back to Kawa.

"Perhaps something unexpected has happened farther up ahead?" She asked quietly, her vic a low octave tone, as it was nearly under her breath. The efficiency comment about her fight had gotten to her somewhat. Making her slightly saddened, but also happy. She knew she was skilled, but to hear it from Kawa helped her confidence. However, the negative aspect told of her being deadly against her own allies, which didn't make her very happy. She held a frown on her face, which looked more like a pout than anything.

 
"I was wondering...how you felt about it," He said simply. That he would mention emotion at all was odd, but he said it as though purely curiousity. "You love the skill, not the belief, don't you. I think that is better than our last kunoichi...ninja should only have allegiance to themselves..." He trailed off suddenly as the man they had spotted stumbled with a half yelp of pain he just as quickly tried to repress. On their side of the street, Keioko saw only one man amidst the numberless crowds jerk his head to look, only to look quickly away. Although no others have faces, he grew into color out of the darkened masses as though walking alone. The first was limping, but trying to hide it. The smile on Kawa's lips was audible in its cold joy.

"That was Rin. She saw him too."

Keioko's eye was quickly caught by the man who looked towards the yelp of pain, a tiny smirk lifting the corner of her lips as Kawa explained that it was Rin. Perhaps she tripped the man to make him stand out? Keioko wondered what happened to him. Hmm. She looked back to Kawa, avoiding the answer of the first question, then the second as well.

"Kawa-san, do you recognize the man who looked or the limping one at all? You've been here longer than I, so I 'm not quite
Kawa shook his head. "You saw the second...sou ka. I only recognize them for the mistakes they made. Rin would not have recognized them if I hadn't signaled her," He said, so softly it would have been gentle if not for the serious business tone that undercut it. Sakuma turned into a restaurant, and Kawa motioned her over to a vendor on their side of the street. The two men continued walking, though Kawa took no notice as he ordered them a plate of takoyaki. He knelt down, leaving a space for her next to him and seemed to simply enjoy the daylight. It was the first she had seen him in the sun, and his skin reflected it with the purity of a moon out at the wrong our. The noises of the people hid them, casually seated at the side of the road. He placed the takoyaki between them.

"The third must be still watching while they patrol...but from where..."


Keioko made a thoughtful sound as she took a seat next to Kawa, adjusting her clothing and the items hidden beneath inconspicuously before relaxing some. She glanced down at the takoyaki between them. Without a sound, she reached down and picked one up with a small smile to Kawa, then turned her attention to the street to look for anything strange or suspicious, all the while munching on her takoyaki. She looked in every dark crevice, every person she could rest her eyes on, anything that looked out of the ordinary, even too ordinary.

 
There was nothing. Men and women wandered the streets on their business, the crowds increasing as the day wore on. Kawa took another piece of takoyaki. Sakuma was still in the restaurant with his bodyguards.

"He is not visible...but he is here. He must be watching the restaurant as we are...watching for others like him...like us," Kawa's voice floated to her. "Kawakami waits two streets down. We need to find and stop the ninja before then," He said rather casually for the short amount of time they had left. "Besides, if we don't hurry...Hazu will start to worry."

 
Keioko frowned slightly as she set down the empty stick and picked up another full of takoyaki. She sighed softly and ate one of the small balls, glancing around. She wasn't having much luck, but maybe.. Her thoughts drifted to the injured man and the one that had looked back a while earlier. Were they around at all?

"What does Hazu have to do with this?" She inquired, swallowing right before speaking.


 
"Nothing...he just worries about you," Kawa said pensively. "And Rin then worries about him. She likes him..." He said in understatement. "Unfortunately, only moreso after Miran was lost..." He continued to eat his takoyaki, but eating seemed unnatural to him, the mortal act of taking sustenance not applying to his ghostly kind. The other two were not within sight, the third was obviously not on the street. It only left a few more options for his location.


 
Now perhaps, since the third was not on the street, he could be on the roofs or in the alleys? She looked closely, trying to penetrate the shadows of the alleys or find deformities in the surrounding rooftops. She also looked above herself and Kawa before continuing to look up and down the street's skyline.

"I knew that Rin likes Hazu, but I'm curious; What happened to Miran-san?"


"I thought so too," Kawa said, only clarified by his next statement. "If the other two are to see him, he must be up high. That means all three can always see each other. We will have to kill them all at once," He concluded factually. Even with that answered, Kawa's mood did not alter to joy or nerves, just his calm self. The drop's effect lulled with him, but Keioko could feel it lie in wait at the back of her senses, brightening the road, giving her insight into the quiet man.

"Miran..." He started, his breath catching for just a moment in strange break from his rolling, smooth speech, then that too was hidden away inside. "All of our stories will be different...Hazu will tell you about his mistakes, Oyama that we were too aggressive...but the truth is, she could no longer live in shadows." As he spoke, the darkness that enfolded him again sprung out in a cloud of aura, a mist that encircled, embraced Keioko with his confident words. "Miran did not have your versatility. She was, an orchid among grass, but cold. At first I thought it was how she performed her job, seducing men and breaking them without a second glance, but at the end, I was wrong. We all have humanity, Matsukaze-san, but that has no place in this work. She betrayed herself and moved into the light. Ninjitsu cannot exist there. She died in Hazu's arms. He did not take it well..." He finished speaking without a conclusion or details for the story. It trailed off into silence just as Sakuma exited the restaurant. Kawa rose with weightless grace and his eyes met hers as he looked down over her.

"Will you take the roof or the street?" The other two ninja, one limping, had circled around, again behind their target.

Keioko's frown deepend somewhat as Kawa told Miran's story, and a pang of sadness for all her coworkers and Hazu especially, shooting through her heart. A sigh and she ate her last takoyaki before standing next to Kawa and glancing around at the ninjas and their target.

"I'm smaller, so I'll go to the roofs." She murmured quietly and set the last stick down with the rest of them. She looked to the surrounding alleys for easy access to the rofs, examining them from her standpoint. Eventually, she glanced back over to Kawa. She'd let him make the first move.

 
"Wait for my strike. Meet me on the next street over," Was his only reply and he had disappeared into the crowd as a tiger creeping through grass, he was gone. Sadness, more than in Hazu who hid behind the strength of his happy attitude, followed Kawa. If Rin was as an extension of him, there was more conflict in his unhesistanting movements than even Keioko now could detect.

The ally swallowed Keioko, and the melocholy fadded in the slow beat of the hunt. On one side, with a quick climb, she could manage to land on the terraced roof. From there, she would have to find the elusive third man. Peering over the highest cornice, she saw nothing on the roof. Sakuma had turned the corner, and the two ninja followed after. Kawa was not immediately apparent.
 
"Hai, Kawa-san..."

The climb onto the roof was quick and easy. She tied her headband to her forehead which pulled back her hair and tied at the base of her skull, partially covering her ears. She tightened the scarf around her neck which now covered the lower half of her face, revealing only her darkened eyes. She moved along the roofs, looking for anyone on them, at the side slopes or the top, even for any signs of someone hiding under the eaves. As she searched, she moved closer to the street over where she was to meet Kawa.

 
Seconds turned to minutes as she searched, as they all came closer. The silence crushed down around her and the heights wavered below. She spotted Kawa only ten feet behind the first man. If he struck and she had not found the one on the roof, it would likely mean both their lives. Each gap between the steeply angled roofs had her scrambling for purchase. They turned a corner and Kawa was ready to strike, something in the growing tension of his steps relayed it. The third was still nowhere in sight. With one eye one Kawa, she saw him move. Like the rush of a river, he sped silently for the first, in perfect time with the crowd. All seemed to agree to not look, as though by force of will he could turn their heads. She did not see the attack, just the stiffening of the ninja's body, and Kawa shoving it into an alley. A knife appeared in the second man's hand even as Kawa turned to face him, the whole combat taking place silently the city deaf to their blood. Only then, a roof away, did the third appear, his bow stretched, aimed to kill Kawa. He was too far to hit with a knife, but had not seen her yet.

Keioko's heart skipped a beat as she saw the third ninja notch his bow. She narrowed her eyes and rushed towards him, keeping on the roof behind him and running as silently as she could, In the process, she kept one hand empty for balance, the other quickly drawing out a kunai and pulling down her scarf, then putting the handle in her mouth, biting down on it. She grabbed a few shuriken then, holding onto them and ready to release once she got close enough.

Not far from him, within range of her shuriken, she threw one aime at the bow, hoping to know it from his hands, or at least knock away the aim, then threw a second aimed at the man's head. She was ready to roll to the side if he decided to aim at her if she missed or he moved.

In the silence above the city, only one sound echoed in her hurried race to close the gap between her and the man fully hidden in dull brown clothes. He had dressed to blend in with the roof. The noise was the near silent pad of her foot making the last leap towards him. He spun and shot, the hurried arrow flying wide of her, but only the second shuriken striking, burying itself in his shoulder, he stumbled back, one arm useless to him. He made no sound as he crouched, drawing his own kunai with his good hand, his bow sliding down the steep roof. His eyes where black with pain and aggression as he hurled his weapon at her and rushed, another appearing in his hand with a flick of his wrist.


As she'd prepared, she quickly shifted her weight to the side the instant she landed, pulling the kunai from her mouth in time to attempt to deflect his thrown knife, the blade barely missing her hand, leaving a tiny scrap along the back of her left hand. She stopped and watched him rush, a pair of shuriken appearing in her right hand, another kunai in her left. There was a good thing about being ambidextrous, and that was having no weaker limbs without injury.

She soon moved to the side of his direction of rushing, preparing to throw her shuriken at him. From her eyebrows down was not covered, save for the small amount of chin that her scarf was over. Her brow was creased with concentration, her dark eyes holding a slight hint of anger within them. She wasn't truly angry, just frustrated that she missed the first time.

 
Again the rush, distortion of perception flooded over Keioko. The precarious fall, three stories onto a main street loomed behind her, ahead, the silent speed of the ninja, only his eyes revealed to her, growing large, her only clue to his actions as he ran up, then down the slick roof. His brown eyes, now solid brown, all intention, followed her shuriken hand. He moved fast, seeking imbalance in her stance without hesitation, just waiting for her throw. She stood at the edge of the tile and with his speed, perhaps he sought to throw her off.

Keiokko prepared her stance as he came closer. perhaps she could throw him off, or fake him out? She judged his position and the easiest way to avoid a flying shuriken before she threw her arm out as if to throw it, to feign the movement before she stepped to his opposite side and actually threw it in the direction he would move in, if he did at all. She prepared the kunai in her right hand in case she'd need it, ready to throw the shuriken in her left hand. If she were forced backwards, she'd leap down or backwards onto the roof behind her. It was quite a ways, but she hoped she cuold make it. If not, she'd have to twist her body to catch the railing.

 
As he ran down the tile, his arm whipped out, the knife flying from his hand. He didn't deviate from his run, instead following the arrowed path of the knife through the air. If the blade didn't kill her, aimed for her chest, he would simply barrel her over the side. He did not produce another weapon, his hands balling into fists to hammer at her if she remained standing. Guarded his face as he rushed into her.


Again, like before, she knocked away the knife with her kunai, still holding it onto it in her hand. With another shuriken in her hand, she quickly tossed it at him, aiming for his knees as his face was being covered. He was too close by now and he looked as it he wanted to push her right off the building. Scowling, she took a step back with her left foot, the toe just on the edge, then placed her kunai in her mouth again. Closer, closer, closer... almost there... yes! Keioko smirked and leaped down the edge of the building as he was within two feet of her. At his pace, he'd have trouble slowing down.

Meanwhile, as she jumped, Keioko grabbed the edge of the eave and steadied herself against the wall so she didn't fall below. She looked up for his shadow and/or his falling or jumping body.

The final shuriken struck him in the knees, barrelling for her, his momentum still carried him forward. His head struck the roof with a sickening thud, and as she dropped off the edge, his body slid just past hers and plumeted limply. Silent as his attack had been, the impact of his crash against the ground was a cacophony of stone, metal and flesh. His body lay three stories below her dangling feet. The smear of his blood dried on the roof above her. On the main street, there was no sound of violence, and no sign of either Kawa or the three men, just the casual flow of men and women on their business, as though none of them had existed.


Keioko remained where she was hanging on the eave, breathing heavily but as quietly as she could. For a moment, the female closed her eyes and drooped her head, her chin touching her chest as she calmed herself down. After a moment, she opened her eyes and turned herself around, slowly and shakily pulling herslef back up onto the roof, her hands and arms dragging through the man's blood. With a wrinkled nose, and hefted the rest of her body up onto the roof's edge and she sat down, pulling the kunai from her mouth and setting it onto the roof beside her. I hope Kawa's okay...

 
A shadow stretched to cast over Keioko as she sat at the edge of the roof, no sound accompanying its approach as a head, torso, slipped off the building and then stood still.

"You're late, Matsukaze-san." Kawa's voice floated on the gentle breeze to her. He stood as stoically as ever, only the odd flapping of his hakama in the wind revealing a tear from the fight. He held out a hand to help her up, the harsh stare cooled, almost peaceful as he took her in, taking her bloodied hand without concern. For once he didn't speak of work, or serious issues, just pulled her to her feet with an unhesitant, gentle firmness. "Come. You should see this." He led her across the roof, not looking back, the only time she had seen him almost casual, the sudden touch of his hand almost feverish with intensity usually directed inward. He had moved fast to get to the roof unseen.

A soft, relieved smile stretched across Keioko's face as she took his hand and stood to her feet, her other hand gripping the kunai beside her, then tucking it into her obi and out of sight. She felt a warmness in his voice and intentions as he spoke to her, then led her off the roof, Keioko, in turn following him without hesitation. As she did so, she wiped her hand on the back of her hakama, ridding it of as much blood as possible. She also pulled off her headband and tied it into her obi, brushing her bangs down to nearly cover her eyes. With a toss of the head, her vision was cleared from obstruction.

"Hai... Kawa-san.."


Kawa dropped into the alley beside the building, opposite the one in which the ninja Keioko had seen fall to his death remained. He scanned the main road quickly and turned to her, suddenly pulling her close to him in one smooth motion, for a moment only his measured breaths came, then he whispered in her ear.

"Stay close. If they see we are watching them, we will give Kawakami away," Suddenly his voice had just an edge of urgency, an excitment in her heightened state she could feel in the strong beat of his heart, the careful breath that played against her hair with the breeze, that he did not release her immediately, his sure hands holding her as though she might disappear.

"Sakuma comes," He breathed. Over his shoulder, she saw the kindly, famed minister and his bodyguards pass by. Kawa's voice was a whisper in her ear. "There is kenjutsu that is strong in the day, and ninjitsu, strong at night, but the third, satsujinken, the art of killing, left only for those who care for nothing but there cause. The hitokiri, Kawakami, are those men. The Shinsengumi you saw today may be stronger than all of us, but they have not given up everything for killing. They still have their art...ne. I want to know...I want to know which you think is better. Do you envy Kawakami for his brutal strength, or pity him in all he lacks to become such a monster. Watch. Tell me," He spoke in measured pace, pulling her suddenly, uncharacteristically, closer, as though to protect her, or understand what she would witness better.

A man no taller than Keioko herself appeared from an alley opposite theirs. At first he seemed merely to lean, light enough to be blown away by the wind, his beautiful face, delicate features impassive, obscured by hair caught by the breeze from his topknot. He leaned until his weight seemed to over-balance, and in a single rush, sped for the three men. His sword cut through the first before he had turned around, whipping from his sheath with deadly momentum. Sakuma didn't have time to scream as the blade went through his throat and the third man thrust for the assassin with a cry. The perfect features of the hitokiri's face did not chance as he ducked the blade and drew a deep red line of blood from the man's back. He had been fast enough to get behind the bodyguard. The dance finished with his katana pointed to the ground, his strength far beyond what Keioko had ever watched. These three had been nothing to him.


 
Keioko couldn't help but blush slightly from being in the close proximity with Kawa, her hands moving to her chest in an automatic reflex. As they remained where they were, she rested her hands on Kawa's chest, and she peered over his shoulder into the street, listening to his whispered words. Kawakami was indeed a handsome man, and she watched him with the utmost intensity. But it was soon over, very quickly. She'd never seen a hitokiri in action before, but this man actually brought them to their name, and they were indeed deadly. Keioko could only hope to be that good. She looked away as Kawakami stood still after killing the men, the side of her face rested somewhat against Kawa's chest.

"I never want to be like that... a monster..." Her voice was nearly a whisper as she said this, her eyes closing momentarily.

 
Kawa's breathing grew steady as she responded, her head against his chest. A release, relaxation softening his rigid stance until with cat-like suppleness his arms enfolded her, hands sensitive to movements of opponents seemed to feel her every movement by instinct, drawing her in as smoothly as he flowed through battle. The dark calm that emanated from him embracing her even as his arms encircled her. For just a moment, she could feel the swirling energy that held everything outside Kawa whisper away with the wind, calming to her touch. He said nothing, only the meditative rush of air into his chest, the rise and fall, speaking to her. As long as the brief seconds seemed to last, they were broken. From the street a voice growled in a harsh yakuza tongue.

"Haven't you tired of staining women's eyes with blood yet, Kyou?" Kawa stiffened, his body breaking from their cool fit in surprise. It was the last emotion she could read before his intensity grew again, and his eyes turned darkly harsh. It was not Kawakami Genzai. On the other side of the street stood a man, dressed in the colors of the Aizu, but far from a normal samurai. His face, obscured by a kabuki mask, his eyes mere pits of black, his voice coming from everywhere at once. Keioko saw what Kawa could not, he had not turned from shielding her. He wore three blades on his obi, kodachi, katana, and tachi, on hand resting on them, his stance that of a hunter. Kawakami Genzai watched without movement, his sword already re-sheathed, a look of observational curiousity tinging his eyes.

"Satsutenchuu," Was all Kawa said.

 
Keioko was relaxed in his arms, liking this very much of course, but as soon as his body stiffened, hers did as well and her hackles rose at the sound of the voice. She glanced up at Kawa, not moving her head very much, but soon glanced over his shoulder at the man with the mask.

"Satsutenchuu." Was all Kawa said. Keioko's breath caught in her throat, unable to breathe for a moment as she realized who this man was, and a small amount of fear swirled into her eyes. KAwa's expression scared her, especially the surprise he expressed before turning cold once more. Kyou... Satsutenchuu... Kawakami... Damn...

 
"Kyou or...they don't call you that anymore, do they, Kawa-kun. I didn't even know you could feel enough shame to care to change your name," The strange, statue of a man's voice grated at Keioko's nerves, barely understandable in his strange style of speech. "I thought you might be here, so of course I came. You will be number twelve, Kawakami number thirteen, and the girl I'll leave alive just long enough to take back what you owe me." Even the wind avoided the man, eerily steady in his focus on the two. Kawa looked downat Keioko, every so slowly releasing her from his embrace, he spoke with total neutrality.

"He has only come for me. His words are only to anger me. He doesn't care if you escape. Now you are facing him. What will you do, Matsukaze-san?" He repeated his question from before, though now something murderous lurked inside him, not directed towards her, but dangerously flowing to the surface. His decision was already made.


"Kawa-san..." Her voice barely audible in it's fearfulness. No, Kawa, he would fight this man, Satsutenchuu. She had no doubt in Kawa's skills, but what she saw in Satsutenchuu, she knew he was dangerous just by looking at him. She didn't know what to do, she was scared for Kawa, even for Kawakami. As he released her, her arms lowered to her side and she stared into his eyes with a look that practically screamed out 'don't go', but she knew he had a duty to this. Either that or the both of them could flee and they'd be safe, or at least she'd hope so. She looked away from him and towards Kawakami, her gaze hardening, then looking back to Kawa, her chill still there.

"Kawa-san..." She repeated quietly, "Be safe, please."

 
Kawa nodded once and stepped away from her. She had seen his eyes in the man she had killed that morning. He turned and faced the strange killer, weaponless. All at once, again, violence broke the calm of the streets. From the alley to Kawa, Satsutenchuu had crossed in a blink, his iaijutsu a violent, grisley strike overhead met Kawa's pair of crossed sai with brutal crash. In the same step, another blade appeared, the katana abandoned suddenly in Kawa's grip. The killer's kodachi screamed towards Kawa's head. He rolled away in a perfect dance, as though these patterns were ingrained in his memory. Again the katana, now both weapons brandished, slashed down again. Kawa's block and counter, one foot flashing towards the mid-section were useless, the kodachi twisting overhead in an inhuman angle to strike Kawa's calf. The pommel of the katana turned and smashed into his face. He skittered back, his movements, too, uncannily fast. Kawakami observed, his gaze turning on Keioko slowly, bearing down on her, before returning to the fight.

Even Kawa had said earlier, that ninjitsu could not survive in the light, and there was nowhere to hide from the flurry of blades that struck out at him. Again Kawa stood in front of her, his breathing fast, his two blades gripped backhanded. When he was positioned in front of her, he did not evade, as he did elsewhere. He stood between her and the cold masked man, still, without hesitation.

"This will be the end," Satsutenchuu called, his hand moving to the undrawn tachi, again in an iaidou stance, he rushed on. Kawa crouched and despite his injuries, flowed like the water he was named after, his movements indiscernable. Both intended to finish it with a single attack.


She watched on, fear, concern and concentration all i her eyes at the samr time. She was worried to Kawa, extremely, and she would not be able to live with herself if she was to go back home and tell everyone Kawa had been killed in front of her nd she'd done nothing to prevent it. Guilt suddenly washed over her and she felt helpless, wanting so desperately to help Kawa, but knowing herself that she had no chance against this masked man. He had moved into the light, and he would die there, as Miran did. Keioko did not want to let this happen.

She took a step forewards and froze as she felt Kawakami's gaze upon her, which she met for the briefest of seconds before he looked away, as did she. Kawa was soon again in front of her, and she heard herself choke out his name, even without meaning to do so. She repeated it again, a tad loudly, and covered her mouth to prevent her from saying anything more. With her other hand behind her back, she felt for Suzume, feeling the grip of it's tsuka beneath her fingertips. She could intervene right now, and either be killed and save Kawa, or knock both sides of the attack away. She only wished she could do such a thing, as she had no courage to do this with. Cursing herself, she gripped the tsuka and let it go, closing her eyes and turning her head to the side as her arm dropped back down, empty. Gomen, Kawa-san.

 
"Nee no you...ore, temae korose. Koi," Kawa suddenly growled, his voice barely an animalistic snarl of such strange Japanese, Keioko couldn't understand it. Satsutenchuu, however, screamed in rage and rushed for him in a blinding flash. Just as Keioko looked away, both attacked. The sound of a hundred blades crashing together cracked through the street, and then silence. Before her, a masked face appeared, rushing by her at a full run, as the darkened pits of eyes held her gaze, Satsutenchuu's voice filled her head.

"Death is no torment to a man with no soul. You are the blade I will cut him down with." His hand appeared unerringly at her chest, wet blackened fingers pulling her kimono apart with the grace of just one finger and laying against her bare skin. With a single motion, a kanji was scrawled in dark black on her chest, 'blood'. He was gone.

The rushing of the ocean filled her ears, louder, louder until she thought they would burst, filling her eyes with rainbows of colors, and then darkness. Then silence. His words echoed again and again in her mind, unceasing in their forceful call. Through them, dimly, she heard sounds of stuggle, of anger. When she awoke, it was to Hazu's worried face, around her hand, prayer beads wrapped tightly, warm against her skin. The screaming noise of Satsutenchuu's voice receeded into them.


"KAWA!! AHHHH!! She screamed as she shot up from her laying position, her eyes wide, looking around frantically before clamping her hands tightly over her ears and clenching her tearing eyes tightly.

"NO!" She screamed again, then repeated it over and over, until that was all that was heard until it was choked away with sobs. She rolled over into the fetal position with her hands still clamped over her ears. She didn't care where she was, or what was happening. All she knew was that Kawa was gone and it was all her fault for not doing anything about it. Her sobs grew louder until it turned into full-blown crying, almost hysterical in the sadness, despair and guilt that she felt.

Hazu picked her up as though she weighed nothing, and put his arms around her, holding her head, he looked in her eyes, his voice strained with worry. "Senpai...senpai!" He snapped, for once angrily. "How do you think you got back here? Kawa is fine...well, um, alive. He carried you back, na. He told me to find those beads, but...are you ok?" He asked softly, the anger slipping from his voice, but not releasing her, as if she might fade away if he did. Her whole body ached as though seeking paralysis, weak in his arms, she couldn't have moved away if she tried, may not have been able to stand.


Keioko's entire body trembled as she fought back tears and attempted to comprehend what Hazu was trying to tell her. Kawa... was alive? What? She couldn't believe her ears. Has this entire world gone mad? She buried her face in Hazu's yukata, attempting to dry her tears, but they kept on coming. She couldn't believe this, she didn't want to. How could Kawa be alive? At this, she struggled to move from Hazu's arms, but to no avail as she found her entire body feeling like jelly, weak and rigid.

"Hazu..." She murmured after taking a few moments to calm down. "Kawa is... alive?" She asked, and in her weakened state, looking up to Hazu with half-lidded eyes still red and puffy from crying.


Hazu nodded seriously at her, them gave a half-smile. "You didn't see the last attack, ne..." He said as though he had. "I guess Kawa knew what it would be and tried to counter it. He's still cut up pretty bad..." He wiped her eyes carefully and then lifted her in his arms with the care of holding a child. Without a word, he carried across the hall and pushed open the door. Immediately, a cry of anger rose up in a little girl's voice.

"Anta! Keep her out, Hazu! And you get out too! I don't want to ever see you again!" She screamed. She was about to say more when she was cut off.

"Rin. Stop. Go outside," A thick, soft voice commanded. The girl stomped her feet and ran outside crying. Inside was dimly lit, and as Hazu sat, holding her in his lap, she could see Kawa's form in the shadows, his pale skin dull from blood loss against the bright white bandages across his chest. His breaths were deep, pained, but steady.

"Matsukaze-san..." He said softly. Even weakened, his eyes were clear with focus as he took her in.
 
 
"Kawa-san..." Was the first thing past her lips as she moved the leave Hazu's embrace. Hazu tried to stop her from doing so, but she reassured him she would be alright as she moved to her knees before Kawa. Slowly, she placed her hands in front of her and bowed deeply, her forehead pressing itself against the ground. On the way down, her kimono drifted open slightly in the front, revealing the deep black kanji on her chest depicting 'blood'. She didn't even seem to realize that it was there.

"Kawa-san..." She repeated, even quieter, her voice choked from the threat of a new bout of sobs.

 
"Hazu. Go," Was Kawa's only command. The boy disappeared obediently, the only sign of his passing the quiet close of the door. There was silence as she bowed to him.

"Matsukaze-san..." His voice was drained of its restrained life, and she heard him rise to his knees, crawling to her, his hands slipped under her arms and lifted her up to look with searing intensity into her eyes. His too were filled with self-recrimination.

"I failed to protect you, Matsu--, Keioko-san. Moshi wake gozaimasen." He bowed his head to her and caught sight of the mark on her chest. Transfixed, his fingers traced over it and she could feel the burn of satsutenchuu's hand in Kawa's own. His face fell. "My curse...And now, you suffer for me..." He closed his eyes, trying to regain control of himself, trying to find his own words. "I--" He trailed off, still holding her, to support her aching body. On his shoulders, down his arms, for the first time she saw his bared skin, myriad brightly colored tatoos of mystical gravity, dragons snaking down his arms, mixed with the scars of old battles barely remembered.

*moshi wake gozaimasen - there are no words to apologize with(extremely polite)
*tatoos are a sign of yakuza
 
"No, Kawa-san... I couldn't protect you, and this is why I am sorry. If I..." She looked down, then reached up, taking the hand that he used to trace her mark in her own hand and holding it gingerly for a moment before letting it go. "... If I had come to help you against Satsutenchuu, you wouldn't be so hurt. It's all my fault. Please, forgive me..."

She was tearing up against her will, desperately trying to push them back. She felt so guilty for Kawa's injuries. Her face was deep with agony of emotinoal and physical pain, so contorted that it looked as if she would never smile again, as she had done so freely before. "This mark is nothing compared to what you have to endure."

"You will think differently when you know what that mark is..." He said with gentle assuredness, and took her hand, still wrapped in prayer beads. "Do not lose these. A priest gave you them. Keep them with you...it will protect you as I did not." At her words of guilt, he looked as though they wounded him more than his own. Without releasing her hand, he held her cheek, then pulled her against him, the warmth of his quivering body a soothing rush as he leaned back to the wall, cradling her in his arm with unexpected care. The cool murmurs of his darkened aura slipped around them both and his hands found her waist, holding her as he had just before the attack. He sighed.

Her eyes closed as he pulled her against him, hesitant to move against him with his wounds, for fear she would hurt him even moreso than he was already. She held her breath for a moment, releasing it at the sound of his voice in a slow, steady stream into the air. She leaned her head against his chest, just as before, her eyes remaining closed. She closed her hands around the beads that were given to her by the priest. She spoke.

"You risked your life to protect me. I owe you everything, Kawa-san. My life..." One of her hands moves up to her chest, feeling where she'd been marked with 'blood', a frown moving onto her lips. I can't work with the Aizu anymore...

---

Hantai Katana Episode 4
Hantai Katana Episode 2
Hantai Katana