A Turbulent Eye Between Two Hurricanes - Part 4
by Serizawa Kamo

SEVERAL NOTES : ^_^

1) This is my first fanfic, so please have mercy with me! ^_^
2) I am a terrible writer in English, so please overlook any mistakes. But please point out any weirdness you happen to  come across!
3) This fanfic is set soon after the Kyoto arc and before the Revenge arc mayhem.
4) As usual, comments & criticism are welcome.
5) This fanfic involves some actual history of Japan.  Japanese history students, if you find any mistakes, please let me know!
6) And I intend to present here some actual kenjutsu styles. But I know nothing about them, so please don't flame me! ^_^
7) All due credits to manga genius Watsuki Nobuhiro and  Shuueisha. Rurouni Kenshin would not come to life without them.
8) And I crammed a "little bit too much" Japanese History in this part... I'm sorry.


"Jihei wo Tsuutan suru Kiketsu tachi"

("Remarkable men, indignant with the corruptness of the times")




[Osaka]

In a dimly lit street of Osaka, two men of the Sekihoutai were  heading to an inn, casting long shadows behind them in the twilight. An agressive atmosphere surrounded them, making any casual bypasser to keep distance, so no one even got close, emptying the roadways and virtually making Osaka a desert
wherever they happened to go. Zanza knew little about Osaka, but Katsu seemed like he'd born there, given the extreme ease he guided his friend through a intricate maze of narrow streets, precarious passages and often dangerous ways. Surely his  information network had made him feel at home in Osaka.

Zanza followed his friend for a while in complete silence. In  his head, the scenes of the ship bombing twirled, trying to escape oblivion.He could see again each second of the bombarding unfolding in front of his eyes, like he was looking at photos in an album, making them hard to forget. Now and then, he closed his eyes in an attempt to drive such images away, but useless it was. At length, he broke the silence.

"So, what's your story, Katsu?", questioned Zanza.
"I've already told you all I had to", retorted Katsu, while  walking a bit hastily.  "The equality of the four classes. Surely you heard about Itagaki Taisuke."

"'Course. The leader of the Shishi fom Tosa (now province of  Kouchi), numbered among one of the greatest of Bakumatsu."

"Right,", confirmed Katsu, as he jumped a open sewage. The nasty  and stinking smell of human dejection in those airless streets was becoming unbearable, helping to quicken the pace. "I've got
information - real thing, you know - that he'll soon be restarting a movement - the "Jiyuu Minken Undou"."

"What? Jiyuu Minken? You mean, democracy?",asked a baffled Zanza.
"Exactly. Democracy. A government where the ordinary people
decide their ruler. No more talk of classes, casts, no bullshit  like that. Isn't that just what Captain Sagara dreamed of?"

With his hands in his pockets, in a traditional pose, doubt was  making Zanza overcautious. "I can't believe your source. Why would Itagaki, a former Councilor of State, start now a movement
for democracy?"
 

"Ideals like ours, I suppose. He promised to follow the ideals  set by Okubo - the 'nation state'. I know that's a bit hard to believe. But that's a fact, and I'm told he's got already many people on his side, like Kataoka Kenkichi, from Kouchi and Kouno Hironaka, from Fukushima."

Kicking absent-mindedly a small pebble, Zanza was not the least  interested in weird names and guys. But it was also true that he didn't know exactly what he wanted to do. He could imagine thousands of ways to kick Kenshin's ass, but every one of them presented some kind of flaw. That'w why right now he was more interested in devising a flawless way to beat Kenshin - or rather Battousai? - up than in listening to facts that seemingly held no appeal. "I don't care. And so what?"

"There are people, Sanosuke, who are against this", said Katsu.  "Against the ideal of our dearest captain. And that's why I'm calling you to join me. We've got a golden chance to finally make the dreams of Captain Sagara come true. We just can't let this go.", his voice was vibrant with idealism that made his dark eyes glitter passionately. Yet Zanza wasn't that excited, although not impervious to Katsu's  enthusiasm and he did feel the importance of what Katsu was taling about.

"And what's the relashionship between that and YOUR bombing of  the ship, Katsu?"

"You've got quite a wit", smiled evilly Katsu. "How did you  discover that?"

"I know you for more than ten years, Katsu. You can tell who the  artist is by his strokes in the painting."

"I got it. Now, the bombing: I can say it was part of a plan."

"Tell me about it.", demanded Zanza.

"Hush!", Katsu suddenly lowered his voice and looked around,  hoping no one had heard what he'd just said. If the police knew he had information about the bombing, certainly he'd be in danger and his true plan would be botched. Still looking carefully and sharpening his ears, he spoke in a muted voice, "The walls do have ears. But I can assure you that you and Battousai will have a nice meeting soon. They plan to talk to him."

"Who?"

"The people I'm going to introduce to you in just a moment. One of  them you've already met, a slightly tall, beautiful woman with long hair. Her name is Kokeshi."

"So she's the woman who tried to sleep with me, huh? And one last  question: what are they going to do to  Battousai ?"

"They say that Battousai is an icon, so he must die. Besides---"
Katsu was rudely interrupted by Zanza, who needed to hear no  more. The only thing he wanted was to fight Battousai again, and willingly or not his wishes came true, though in ways a bit unexpected, so he could concentrate himself only in the fight itself. Yes, he felt an urge to fight again like he used to. A strong desire from within the very depths of his soul, compelling him to face again the strongest man of the Bakumatsu in order to find some answers. Answers to some dilemmas that tormented him and put his beliefs in check. Answers to what was right and what was wrong. To find out and eliminate the
corruptness he saw in Battousai and in himself. For the sake of his oath, sworn to his captain, that no one would see again an unreasonable death of a dear person. For the sake of a friend, that was much dear to his heart and was a man he had seen no equal in this cruel world.

"That's enough. Katsu, let me tell ya two things: first, I'm  greatly disappointed with you because you devised a plan that could have killed a lot of people, just to make me join the group. Second, I'm not into this group at all. I don't give a fuck to those shitheads. All I want is to kick the fagotty ass of Himura Battousai. And that's why I'm going along with you."



[elsewhere in Osaka]

Although it was already summer, flowers were still blooming in  a large estate, located in the south area of Osaka. The sun shone brigtly, but the weather was still a bit cool and the trees were rustling with a soft breeze. Several men were lying in the neatly cared grass, enjoying a sunbath. Others were practising their kenjutsu or wasting their time with idle talk. Only two men were out of tune, dead serious as they were. Although they were enjoying the magnificent weather, their concerns were far from that.

"So, do you think that Mister Tsukioka will be able to convince  that friend of Battousai to come to our side, Mister Kiyokawa?", asked a stout man in his thirties, whose name was Ibaragi.

"I think so. I've heard they have similar backgrounds and  they're old friends. Then there will be just one more person still to come.", was the answer of Kiyokawa, a tall man in a luxurious black hakama, his dark hair neatly combed.

"Mister Sugimura Yoshie. A friend of mine told me he's going  to be a kenjutsu teacher in Hokkaido, but I wonder if he is really good."

"I've heard he's quite skilled, Mister Ibaragi", the woman  called Kokeshi came smiling to where they were, bringing a dobin (pipkin). "Do you want some tea?"

"In the next days, Japan will be back to her glorious times",  said Kiyokawa, handing Kokeshi a yunomi (teacup), which was promptly filled. Sipping his tea, he muttered, "and I promise a bright future to our nation."

"Japan, Japan... the era where you were proudly called Yamato  are long gone", sighed Ibaragi, while staring blankly at a small lake in the garden. "Nowadays, nobody has any pride, rotten as they are with greed and lust. Our ancestors had not died to present such a nasty picture of this country, and they
would be ashamed of their descendants. We have to call back the pride and honor that were the trademark of our people since ancient times. And that's what will make here a better place to live."



[somewhere in Japan, inside a carriage]

Chou, after looking at the friend of Saitou, said, "So, ye're  the man, huh?  How it's gonna be?"

The friend of Saitou was also a tall man, although not as thin  (or slender ^_^? ) as Saitou. He laughed cheerfuly at Chou, showing merriment. Cheap taints didn't affect him in the slightest, and he looked like a bold man who prefered a good sake and women to a katana, but his body irradiated strength, his hands showed shinai calluses clearly and his eyes shone the grim shimmer that came from the countless  hardships he'd gone through. Chou could account him for a ruffian or a merrymaker.  On the other hand, Saitou kept always his serious air that gave way to his trademarked cynical smile once in a while. Chou
couldn't help feeling more affinity with Saitou's friend, so while they were heading back to Kyoto, naturally they talked and laughed a lot, like they were friends of old. Only sometimes Saitou exchanged words with his friend, mostly related with his duties as a "mittei" (spy), but their talk was always brief and even his friend was serious when talked to Saitou. Undoubtely, Saitou was a dull companion and Chou was well aware of that.

But when they were somewhere near Osaka, some days later, all of a sudden the friend of Saitou apologised, smiling broadly as  always: "Sorry, folks, but I have to do some business for a few days. I'll catch you later in Kyoto." With these words, he just jumped out of the carriage and got away, leaving Chou speechless behind him.

"Good", was the ironical remark of Chou. "Several days of tiring  carriage travel and now this! I'm gonna complain to my supervisor, I'm telling ya!"

"Shut up", was Saitou's reply, his eyes narrowed. "And get ready."
"Get ready for what, you damn supervisor! You don't take me  seriously, do you?", yelled an indignant Chou. "Next time, I'm quitting this job!"

Saitou calmly ignored him as the carriage was running fast, so that  they would get back to Kyoto  quicklier than expected. The (in)famous "Aku-Soku-Zan" - "Kill-Evil-Instantly" - the only fuel that moved  the former captain of the third unit of the Shinsengumi, would again raise in the heavens the scarlet banner of "Makoto" in the Thousand Years Capital - Kyoto. Lost in his thoughts, he was seeing again the Kyoto of the Bakumatsu, a city where blood was flowing like rivers of death, where so many people, famed and unknown alike, had lost their lives struggling fiercely... for a better world to come.



[Two days later - Aoiya, Kyoto]

"I can't believe it!", exclaimed a stupefied Misao, punching the  tatami.

Kenshin, Kaoru, Yahiko and Megumi were once again at the Aoiya,  after an exceedingly wearisome travel. Not only they had to face another day of travel, but also the incident in Osaka was not something to be forgotten easily. And now, after a night of sleep, Kaoru, Yahiko and Megumi told Misao what happened in the port, while in another room, Kenshin and Okina held a meeting to discuss  such subjects.

"But it's true, Misao. Sano is no more.", confirmed Kaoru.
"Hey, he's not dead. Not yet, at least.", said Yahiko, looking  hungrily to a tasty bar of yokan.

"No, Sano is dead, though that rooster head is not", corrected  Megumi, tasting her tea and slicing the yokan in tiny pieces. "All we have now is Zanza, as he self-proclaimed. Strange name, though."

"I've forgotten that you didn't meet Sano in his Zanza mode",  remarked Yahiko. "You appeared only in volume 3 of the manga."
(Hey, give me some yokan, please!)

"What are you talking about? Volume 3?" (Here you are.)

"Oh, never mind." (Thanks.)

"Anyway, we must decide what to do now. Should we wait for that  rooster-head to wake up - hard to imagine, I'd say - or should we go to Tokyo without him?", asked Megumi, as she ate casually a piece of yokan.

"No need to discuss that, of course! We've come together, we'll  go back together! What kind of stupid question was that?", replied Yahiko, eating a mouthful of the sweet. (And please give me another piece of yokan!)

"He's right, Megumi!", added Kaoru. (Hey, you eat too much!)

Megumi smiled , "I'm glad you two share my opinion." (Here,  Yahiko.)

"Yeah, that's it!", said Misao. "Sanosuke will certainly come  back. He's no fool, after all."

(meaningful silence)

"Well, hm, maybe a little bit..."

(more meaningful silence)

"Okay, okay, so you're saying he's... ", started Misao.

"... as dumb as you, weasel girl.", completed Yahiko.

"Putting that matter aside", sighed Megumi, while there were  kunais and shinais flying everywhere, "where's Ken-san?"

"Still discussing with Okina", answered Kaoru. "They're trying  to figure out what was that all about."

"I see. With a information network like Oniwabanshuu's, it will  make things a lot easier."

"And all that, while my dear Aoshi-sama is still meditating!",  bursted out a crying Misao. "I can't understand what he's up to!"

"He must have some affairs to settle with himself, Misao, just  as Okina said. For now, just leave him be", comforted Kaoru. (Hey, Yahiko, how DARE you eat my share of yokan?!)

"Yes, Kaoru's right.", agreed Yahiko. (Oh, shut up, you hag.)



 

In another room, piles of messages, documents and books were  scattered all around, making a big mess.

"So, the bombs were devised by Sanosuke's friend", muttered  Okina, with his eyes closed.

"I'm almost certain", nodded Kenshin. "When we were fighting  against the steel-clad warship Rengoku , Sano blew up the screw shaft with some handmade grenades, which displayed an awesome destructive power and made a peculiar noise, the same I heard two days ago, though with less intensity."

"I wonder who else is be involved in all this and what are  their aims."

"Excuse me, Okina", apologised Shiro, as he opened the  fusuma (door).

"Shiro. What's news?", asked Okina.

"Kokeshi...", uttered Shiro.

Okina couldn't help being surprised. "What?"

"Who's Kokeshi, Okina-dono?", asked Kenshin.

"She's one of the Oniwabanshuu... in fact, she was. We thought  she died in the Hamaguri Gomon no Hen, but it looks like we were wrong... she had 10 years then."

"I don't blame you for that, Okina-dono. When you're engaged  in a fierce war like that, it's almost impossible to keep track of every person."
 

"Thanks for trying, Himura", Okina smiled sadly. "But you know  we could have searched for her soon after the battle, at the very least. A month later, we searched for her, but she had disappeared. I wonder where she'd been for 14 years... "

"She must be quite a clever person, to survive that battle.  The Oniwabanshuu really has a very useful training."

"I think it was rather the instinct of survival, I'm afraid... she was no genius like Aoshi. But then, we never know for sure..."
"I see...", and the talk faded for a moment.
.............................
......................
................
...........
.......
....
.

"Now, what else, Shiro?", Okina broke the dense, nasty silence.

"The police won't start any official investigation. They closed  the case."

"I imagined that... the Meiji government is well too concerned  about building up good relationship with foreign countries. Although there was a bombing in an important port like Osaka, as there were no foreigners involved, they decided to hide it from the general public, fearing it might show the political and militar weakness the government is facing right now. Maybe a clever decision to maintain a clean facade, but in the long run it will prove disastrous, because that's also a kind of oppression. Ignoring purposedly affairs like that bombing is the same as offering proofs of the inability  to handle crisis and the newspapers won't let that pass.", said a worried and thoughtful Okina. "After the three heads of the Meiji Ishin (Restoration) died, no one had the charisma and leadership to replace them. Kido Takayoshi (formerly known as Katsura Kogorou), Saigou Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi were unique people. Now what do we have? Itou Shunsuke (Itou Hirobumi), Itagaki Taisuke, Gotou Shoujirou? They are amazingly cunning people, quite intelligent and try hard to follow the path of the Ishin Sanketsu (triunvirate). But their words and action lack the weight a Saigou Takamori had. The Southwest War has just proved that. I foresee difficult times for the common folks... People will gradually grow upset of the
new measures the government are taking. Keep on like this, and we'll see another chaotic era, Himura... and the "Fukoku Kyouhei" ("Abundance for the Country, Strength to the Army", the policy taken by Meiji government) won't help, neither will those irresponsible and greedy officers."

"People do deserve to live in a better world, Okina-dono...", was  the answer of Kenshin.



[Kyoto - In a room at Aoiya]

Aoshi was completely indifferent to all that fuss that was going  on. Now and then he could hear Misao or Yahiko yelling along with some noise, however now he was deep into meditation. The Kyoto fight
with Battousai had much to teach and he had much to learn. For a long time, he had wandered Japan along with Beshimi, Hyottoko, Hanya and Shikijou and now, back home, it was time to think. Think about what had happened and why. Think about what he had to do from now on as the Okashira (leader) of the Oniwabanshuu. Think about his feelings. Think about what had become of himself.

A sutra could be faintly heard, uttered from Aoshi's lips:  "Kan-ji-zai Bo-satsu Gyou-jin-han-nyaa-haa-raa-mittaa-ji .
Shou-ken-go-un-kai-kuu Do-issai-ku-yaku Sharishi.
Shiki-fu-i-kuu Kuu-fu-i-shiki
Shiki-soku-ze-kuu Kuu-soku-ze-shiki...."

(Maka Hanya Hara Mitta Shingyou - The "Maha Prajña Paramita Sutra", or the "Sutra of the Completion of the Transcendental Wisdom")


[Elsewere in Kyoto]

In a hut, situated on a foothill in the outskirsts of Kyoto, a  potter was calmly sipping his sake. "It looks like a storm is coming...", he said to himself, while reading a letter.





Coming next: Rooftop - the best place "up to date"...?



On to Chap 5