From: serizawa@excite.com This is the first part... -- Aitou, soshite Kibou -- ~ Grief, and Hope ~ by Serizawa Kamo This fanfic is based on the story and characters created by Watsuki Nobuhiro. Hail him! ^_^ Standard disclaimers apply. As always, C&C's highly appreciated! Please! ^_^ In the bottom, there's a list of the Japanese words I've used, if any. There may be some Revenge Arc spoilers in this story. -------------------------------------------------------- Part 3 - Kaisou - Ikedaya no Hen, Jyoshou -- Uragiri to Mittei (Reminiscences - The Ikeda Inn Affair , Ouverture Part -- Treason and Espionage) - VERY ROUGH DRAFT - -------------------------------------------------------- "Off through the new day's mist I run Out from the new day's mist I have come I hunt Therefore I am" (Metallica, "Of Wolf and Man") The day was June 5th, First Year of the Genji Era (1864). Although in those times the festival of Gion was held officially on June 6th , already plenty of people had arrived at the city, crowding and filling it with a busy and pleasant hubbub. Countless lamps were casting a radiant, yet comfortable illumination on every street, and stores were open everywhere, giving Kyoto a colorful touch of a merry atmosphere. The mood was bright in the Thousand Year Capital. Festivals, parties and celebrations. Those were the few times where one could find mirth in Bakumatsu, the few times where one could find solace from the ever-stalking ominous gaze of death that ravaged in the dark streets of Kyoto. There was indeed brightness in partying, as if people tried to cling desperately to the happiness that somehow managed to inebriate the hearts of the nobles and commoners alike, in an attempt to shun the tenebrous horrors faced every day. And if the dense atmosphere of Kyoto really allowed such attempts, one could say that surely the Gion Festival would be one where such attempt was most likely to succeed. But, far beyond the reach of mortal sight, doom had already begun playing with the gears of time, triggering events that would inexorably take place, bringing along pain and death, glory and fame... Who could have guessed what loomed behind happiness on this day? Two weeks before the mayhem... In a hotel and restaurant at Sanjou Kobashi ... "Phew, finally the day is over", breathed Ikedaya Soubee in relief, making a loud thud as he sat on the rough yet clean tatami of the dining room, now empty of people but him and his wife. "But it's wonderful to have so many clients... all this, thanks to the Gion festival, as always.", he said, cheerfully drinking his sake. Raising his sakazuki, he declared, "A toast to the festival." There was a pleasant and cozy wind of bliss that blew softly inside this house, contrasting with the usual chaos that was seen inside the restaurant in the day. Few days in the year were as busy as those that preceded the Gion festival, but that meant money. You have money, therefore you have happiness. Such is the philosophy of businessmen. His wife shared his felicity, but there was a slighly worried tone in her voice as she suggested, "Anata, sometimes I think we could reduce the number of our clients, couldn't we? We had so much trouble trying to put the last client up yesterday..." Soubee waved his hand like he was trying to shoo those concerns away, "Oh, you mean that pharmacist? Hell, I could do nothing, remember that letter from the owner of that shipping agency from Osaka, asking us to spare a lodge to that man? As you know just too well, the owner, and therefore his agency, is our favorite client, we can't afford to lose him. That's why we had to lodge the man, what was his name? Yamazaki Susumu, I think. Anyway, the more, the merrier. That's what I always say.", Soubee snapped his tongue in delight. You have ignorance, therefore you have happiness. Such is the philosophy of reality. In a secondhand store at Shijou Kobashi... "Furutaka-kun, how have you fared?" , the strong voice of Miyabe Teizou broke at length the still of the old house. "Fine I am, really your concern I do appreciate, Miyabe-sensei.", replied Furutaka Shuntarou, smiling slightly. "All the preparatives as planned are under way. Smoothly running everything is." Two middle-aged men were they. Although time had taken its toll on their bodies, their minds were clear, as sharp as the swords they carried. The glitter in their eyes showed their enthusiasm and determination, while the low, almost hushed tones of their voices suggested not only maturity, but also wisdom, for it was wise to keep a low voice if you wanted to discuss the return of the political power to the Tennou Heika, the almighty Emperor of Japan, a direct offspring of the gods. It was wise to keep a low voice if you wanted to be an Ishin Shishi. A "Knight of the Restoration". And the secondhand store was just a perfect hideout to avoid calling attention, especially now with the Wolves of Mibu patrolling the city. Yet the two Ishin Shishis would face much trouble in a few days - but they had no means to know by then. One of them was Furutaka Shuntarou Masayasu. A "goushi" - a county, lower class samurai, a squire - from the City of Kurita, in the Country of Oumi. He served the Rinnouji Miyake, the house of an Imperial Prince, who was the chief priest of the Rinnou Temple, one of the many temples from Yamashina Bishamon (Vaisravans, the god of treasure) Shrine. While having this close relationship with the family of the Emperor, he was engaged actively as an Ishin Shishi, being quite a known figure among them. He was now disguised himself as Masuya Kiemon, the owner of a secondhand store at the Shijou Kobashi. The other one was Miyabe Teizou Denjou. As a son of doctors in the Higo fief he was born, but he preferred to master the Yamaga style of military strategy, earning at the same time a deep knowledge about the History of the Emperor, reading a lot of the ancient books about the Tennou Heika. If the Satsuma fief had Saigou Kichinosuke (Takamori) and Okubo Ichizou (Toshimichi), and the Choushuu fief had Katsura Kogorou (Takayoshi) and Takasugi Shinsaku (Tougou), then the Higo fief had Miyabe, certainly the most proeminent man of the Higo fief now, having the respect of both the Bakufu and the Ishin Shishi. And among the Ishin Shishi in Kyoto, virtually no decision was made before asking for his opinion. But none of them could foresee the events to come... could they? "Hearing that, glad it made me", Miyabe grinned. "Finally the time for verbiage is over and the time to teach Bakufu a lesson has come. And now, we, the Ishin Shishi, are going to be the Kangun, the "Army of the Emperor". Perfect the plan is." "A bit of fear I can't help but feeling, Miyabe-sensei. How about Katsura-sensei?", inquired Furutaka. Aprehension was evident in his voice, as he reminded Miyabe, "Katsura-sensei does completely the plan objurgate, as you do surely know. How will him be dealt by us?" Irritated, Miyabe stood up and spat his words of disdain and disgust, "Katsura Kogorou nothing but a weakling has become. The Hachigatsu Juuhachinichi no Hen, the coup d'etat that in the expulsion of the Choushuu fief from the Imperial Palace on August 18th resulted, fear in him has inspired. Hearing the rumors, the nickname of his already is as "Nige no Kogorou", the "Fleeing Kogorou", isn't that so?" Pointing his finger to Furutaka, Miyabe said, "We can't go back anymore, Furutaka-kun. This is the most propitious moment. We have the recognition of the Emperor to earn NOW, or else.", he put a special emphasis on the urgency of the plan. Furutaka stared at Miyabe, his expression a mix of concern and amusement. A faint smile crossed his face. "But without the support of Choushuu, rendered helpless we are, Miyabe-sensei. I have thought their aid was a high desideratum, without which we will have serious shortcomings when carrying out with the plans. Indeed we have the favour from other fiefs, but all of us know that such is an ersatz friendship built over frail bonds, easily broken with the tides of the happenings we may face ahead." A drip of irony tinged Miyabe's voice, "Now, now, are you also afraid? Worries are needed not. >From Kusaka Genzui (Gisuke) and Yoshida Toshimaro I have support, and that makes two Choushuu men against one. But Katsura assured me he would attend the meeting at the Ikeda Inn. There, an amiable talk we will have and a consensus reach for sure." "And who else will attend the meeting, Miyabe-sensei?", asked Furutaka, as he stood up and brought a bottle of sake to his visitor. Gladly uncorking the bottle and pouring its content in a choku, Miyabe answered, "Well, besides Katsura and us, we will be honored to have, at the very least, Yoshida Toshimaro, Kitazoe Yoshimaro, Fumizuki Yoshizumi and my disciple Matsuda Juusuke as our comrades, their seats with us sharing." Furutaka Shuntarou was clearly amazed, "Yoshida Toshimaro? One of the "three wise men" (Yoshida Toshimaro, Kusaka Genzui and Takasugi Shinsaku) of the Shoukason Juku, the school of Yoshida Shouin? That is fantastic!" "And one of the best Ishin Shishis of the Tosa fief Kitazoe Yoshimaro is, and surely the most trustworthy, along with Sakamoto Ryoma.", added Miyabe, his eyes closed, tasting the sake. "But isn't Fumizuki Yoshizumi the man from Tosa, a master of navigation and the predilect disciple of Katsu Kaishuu? If so, on the Bakufu side he is. Why is he joining us?" Slowly sipping his sake, Miyabe pointed out, "To be a Katsu's disciple implies not on the Bakufu side he is, especially when it comes to Katsu Kaishuu. His knowledge will be needed to drive away those goddamned Western sons of harlots, who dare in our sacred land of Japan to spread out the foul smell of theirs." Miyabe shook his head, "No, in our chain of Ishin Shishis, a weak link Fumizuki is not. Rather afraid of Katsura I am, and the truth about him the Ikeda Inn meeting will show." In a fief house at Kawara Street Sanjou-agaru... "It's been awhile since we've last met and talked. Are you doing well?", Katsura said, holding a tea cup as he glanced at Himura Battousai and his comrade Iidzuka, a man with a thin moustache. Cold as usual, and not without sarcasm was Battousai's reply, "Yes, I am doing people very well, thanks." "Hey hey.", Iidzuka looked sideways in a sign of disapproval to Battousai, who simply ignored him and asked Katsura, "What duty do you call for tonight?" Katsura was in a good mood, mildly answering, "No, I don't think it'll be that important.", but Battousai didn't share Katsura's humor, saying with his childlike, yet serious voice, "If it's not important then please refrain from calling me.", causing Iidzuka to protest again. Battousai argued, "I murdered nearly a hundred men this past half year. No matter how much I try to hide my existance the Bakufu will soon notice. Hanging around the Choushuu fief house now wouldn't be a wise choice. The Bakufu forces grows stronger day by day especially with that "Wolves who appeared at Mibu"." "The "Shinsengumi"..." "I have never fought with them yet though their strength is possibly the Bakufu's strongest...", was Battousai's opinion, contested by Katakai, a slightly fat man and Katsura's aide, "Feh, what a mixed pack of ronins like that can do?" Asking Katakai to hold his mouth shut for a moment with a slight gesture of his hand, Katsura smiled and thanked for Battousai's advice, "Okay. I'll be careful." Bowing several times, apologising for the harsh words of the young boy, Iidzuka resumed the inicial subject, asking, "So... about the job?" "The truth is on the night of the Gion Festival", said Katsura. "We're going to hold a secret meeting at a resturant. Toshimaro and Miyabe-san also plan to attend." "Will I be a guard?" "No, you won't. How about you join us this time?", invited Katsura, his smile widening. Iidzuka roared with enthusiasm and admiration, exclaiming, "WOOW!! Isn't this great! What an honor. Hey, you might get your name in history--" "I must refuse.", Battousai cut off a surprised Iidzuka, his voice impassive as ever, showing no signs of happiness or queasiness for such honorable invitation. Taking his leave, Battousai muttered, half to himself, half to his Choushuu comrades, "Reason is a "slayer of men" ("hitokiri") dwells in the shadows till the bitter end. Besides, I have no interest in history and honor. When there can be a "new era" that will allow people to peacefully live in, that's enough for me." ------------------------------------------------- However, it was not a time for sweet idealistic castles of rosy dreams, But a time for the crude and despicable slum of tenebrous reality. Because it was not a time for the noble principles of the Hiten Mitsurugi, But a time for the harsh laws of the Wolves of Mibu. Because it was not a time for sowing the small seeds of hope, But a time for reaping the bitter fruits of grief. ------------------------------------------------- Saitou Hajime could clearly feel the bounding blood in his veins. He grinned with satisfaction as he strongly gripped his sheathed katana. His hands - no, his entire body - were shivering with badly repressed passion. Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply and slowly letting his breath out, he slid the katana out of the scabbard. At the same time as the sword was completely unsheathed, he suddenly opened his slant eyes and grinned again, this time a feral and fearsome grin, reflected in his amber eyes who now showed a coldness only matched by the steel of his sword. There were no more signs of any emotion in him, as the Captain of the 3rd Unit of the Shinsengumi slowly walked with firm and resolute steps towards a chamber of the Yagi Gennojou's house, one of the dens of the Wolf in Mibu along with Maekawa Souji's house. A case of espionage had been reported within the Shinsengumi. Yoshimura Kan-Ichirou had seen four masked man threatening Watanabe Kouemon, an ashigaru (foot soldier) of the Kyoto Shoshidai, demanding information about what Shinsengumi had found out in the Ikeda Inn, and Yoshimura had recognized the bastards. There was leakage of information to the Ishin Shishi. There were spies in the Shinsengumi. There was treason inside the pack. And there was Aku. Soku. Zan. Evil. Immediately. Slain. The law of the Shinsengumi. This leakage was particularly dangerous, for it could decide the success or failure of a vital and risky mission. About one week ago, Yamazaki Susumu had entered the Ikeda Inn disguised as a pharmacist and medicine trader, asking for a place to stay for some weeks. His mission: investigate the news that the Ishin Shishis were planning to wreak a large havoc in Kyoto, throwing the city into utter chaos and confusion. Although the Ikeda Inn was overcrowded due to the Gion festival, a letter from a shipping agency from Osaka granted Yamazaki a place to stay and he was often seen ordering some herbs from a nearby store, making unaware of his true identity even the Ishin Shishis in the Ikeda Inn, who often joked with Yamazaki, inviting him to join them. He was free to roam inside the inn, thus being able to gather a lot of information, written in pieces of paper that later would be crumbled and thrown to the street. Then Watanabe Kouemon, disguised as a beggar, would get the papers and run to Sanjou Oobashi, handing them to Yoshimura Kan-Ichirou, also disguised as a beggar, who would carry the information to the Shinsengumi headquarters in Mibu. But such plan, devised by Hijikata Toshizou and Yamazaki Susumu, was seemingly discovered by Choushuu Ishin Shishis, who sent four men to threaten Watanabe Kouemon. And Yoshimura had recognized them: Mikura Isetake, Arakida Samanosuke, Echigo Saburou and Matsui Tatsusaburou, all of them members of the Shinsengumi. There were no doubts now, Choushuu had spies infiltrated in the ranks of the Wolves of Mibu. To make matters worse, Kusunoki Kojuurou and Matsunaga Kazue, another Shinsengumi men, were suspected of helping those four. Petty dogs among mighty wolves were they. They should be punished. They should be killed. For death was the only punishment in the Shinsengumi. "Mikura-kun, Arakida-kun, could you honour us by sparing a little bit of time for a quick talk with us?" (on to the next part! ^_^) Serizawa Kamo --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ---------------------------- 150 SONGS FREE! The Riffage CD features 150 songs from our favorite artists at Riffage.com Sign-up for a "My Riffage" account to get your Free CD. http://www.riffage.com/ol/cd3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------