Stealing for Shimabara

Shimabara the red light district… Slightly to the southwest from the center of Kyoto. It was one of the places where we were assigned to patrol. FAR from Nijo castle. Obviously it was a statement and a -glaring- one at that for the Shinsengumi. The Bakufu itself considered us as lowly ronin not fit to be in Kyoto and the Aizu han, considered us as a blister being supported by Matsudaira.
Shimabara, the haven for lonely men. Sick men. Carnal men. And men like us, in the Shinsengumi, needing the occasional comfort of a woman. As the Shinsengumi grew, the pension we received from Aizu grew also… And there came a time when even the lowliest of recruits were able to afford a room in the red light district. To drink sake, to listen to the koto, to watch as a Geisha dances and finally to bed a whore.
I had no interest in such things. The times were turbulent and assassinations were rampant in the street. But men being men have needs and I soon found myself trying to control a few subordinates who would steal in the night and return in the morning. There is no rule in the Hatto forbidding such. Perhaps it is because even the Kyokuchou and the Fukuchou’s themselves were frequent customers. It would’ve been a waste of time perhaps to figure out which particular woman -they- associated with. But now, it is a problem for it is affecting my men. The third troop should be always ready and I do not -appreciate- night owls who plant seeds and them come back like doves to spar with me in the morning.
What does happen behind those thin paper walls?
Maybe I needed proof that what they do there is unnecessary and I can place them in Kishin one by one. Of course it would not be good if the whole troop were to be detained all at once for how will we guard the streets? Perchance I was just curious as to the talks between the men and in particular of that -blasted- Harada Sanosuke who does not have the decency to keep his exploits to himself. Or maybe of Nagakura who was already married and yet, choose to go there as well. Or maybe Hijikata who was conjectured to be a favorite “patron” in the teahouses, moving from one woman to the next. At least that is what I heard through the grapevine. I will find out tonight… The four ryo I have saved should be enough.
“Irrashaimase! How can we help you today sir?”
A woman, daintily dressed in red silk kimono immediately greets me in the dim reception area.
“What do you serve here?”
She laughs a bit and I am immediately guided to a solitary room, made to sit and a bottle of sake to keep me company. Ah… Sake is -always- good. It has a calm and warming effect. And yet sake is -available- in the compound and the little restaurants surrounding Mibu. Since I am a drinker, I will of course let them drink off duty. So this easily solves my dilemma. I just have to speak with my men… That is all.
“Would you like some company?”
Oh… The woman is still here.
“Isn’t sake good enough?” I mock her, immediately drowning the liquor.
“There are things much better…”
“Like?”
“I can dance for you or hold you.” She continues while her hands reach out to my back massaging it with her soft hands.
“Shall I have to pay for that?”
“Oh no. The sake comes with everything else. Of course if you don’t want what you have -paid- for. Well that can easily be arranged.” She laughs softly into my ear and I look up at her… Perhaps a bit confused and a little worried that my hard earned cash is going to go down the gutter. I already think this establishment’s sake is obnoxiously expensive, if the onna is giving me such treatment…
“Well you might as well get on with the dancing then.” I scowl.
“As you wish… But before that, I need your name.” She blows softly into my ears and I am tempted to swat her like a fly.
“Hajime. Is that good enough?” Get on with the show onna.
“Alright.”
She dances a silent dance. No song or sound, unlike from the stories I’ve heard… This is not entertaining at all. Perhaps I’ve gone to the wrong place and wasted my money? But as the sake travels the length of my throat, as my vision blurs a tad, I found myself smirking… Grinning… Being enthralled in her soft dance… Being entertained… Finally she ends with a sharp “twang” of her fan. I am jolted back to the dim room and slightly dazed.
Settling herself beside me she asks, “Did you like that Hajime-han?”
“Tch…” Of course not.
“Ah…” Gliding her hands up my arm, the hair on my neck bristled. “Gome ne… I should’ve asked for the koto but you did not strike me as -that- kind of man.”
“Do woman like you always talk too much?”
She giggles and I roll my eyes and grab the bottle of sake. This night is going to be -very- long.
“Don’t pour for yourself. It’s bad luck here in Kyoto.” She stays my hand and does it herself.
“You should’ve said that earlier. Baka…” I scoff.
“Gome ne… I can’t just seem to please you can I?” She giggles softly hiding herself behind her fan. “Then perhaps I shall not be getting any monetary gratuity tonight?”
Letting out an exasperated sigh, I drown the sake once again before finally standing up. “Gratuity? Don’t make me laugh. Of course not for I am leaving.”
The woman grabs my hand a bit too tightly and I am taken aback.
“It’s embarrassing to be refused, Hajime-han.”
“That’s your problem.”
“Of course… But you must bed me tonight, for I will not feel good after taking your money.”
“Is this some sort of twisted honor amongst your kind?”
“Perhaps…”
What happened that night cannot be easily explained. A few hours before dawn I awoke slightly exhausted but somehow clear headed. It is time to leave and get back to my duties. However, I do not know why I spoke to her then…
“I cannot be tied to anyone.” I say as I dress. She rises partly and pulls the sheet to cover herself. I shake my head slightly, as if there was any use of doing that now, after I’ve seen every part of her.
“I know that it will only be a limited time… And something passing. However…” She tilts her head and slowly smiled.
“I think Hajime-san, that I am the best match for you.”
“I am not a kind man, so do not get your hopes up.” A scowl evident on my face.
“Neither am I a kind woman Hajime-san… But I am -still- the best match for you right now.”
As I tie the hakama, I turn to her and smirk. “And why is that?”
“I won’t tie you down at all. You can do whatever you want.”
I bend down and kiss her once again, noting the confidence and assurance in those dark brown eyes.
“As I’ve said, I’m not a kind man.”
She shakes her head. “I’m not going to listen to any excuses. You either will or you won’t.”
“If you see me in this room again then you’ll know.” Grinning, I left it at that and closed the shoji door.
She had awoken something in me, something primal and territorial. I came there many more times. Too many for comfort, that the men began to suspect something. And yet… I could not avoid her. I came like a moth to a flame. I came whenever I killed and whenever I could not think. Her hands playing with my hair. Her lap was my pillow. Her face a temporary comfort. And when we spoke, I felt that I was human and not a demon. When she offered herself, I felt like a man and not a wolf.
And though we have not mentioned much of ourselves, our past and our future, we were together. And though the meeting was temporary and that we parted each night, it was comforting, not to give something in return, not to ask for something in return. Only a few coins that were between us meaningless but was necessary for the brothel, necessary so I can see her. I finally met someone who is like myself, like a ghost in Kyoto. Slowly I understood why men chooses to visit these places and that it did not house whores and demons, but only people.
Then it came, my work with Itou Kashitarou was almost done. Hijikata had asked me to assassinate the man, which I knew I will not do given the circumstances. However, instinct told me that after this, she and I will part for a long time. And once again that possessiveness is over powering. Perhaps our conversation before was meaningless, at least from my end. For I found myself stealing from Itou’s drawers enough money to buy her out.
(OOC: There’s no umm lemon, but ummm please don’t read if you don’t like these things. Also my ummm apologies for using the word whore. I needed that. Umm sorry?
OOC2: Hatto rules of the Shinsengumi. Koto – I think that’s the instrument you pluck. LOL! And as for Saitou stealing… Well it’s not confirmed as to “why”, the rumor was he stole for a woman in Shimabara but on top of this, it was more like a cover for himself while he was a spy. I cannot imagine under what sticky circumstance he found himself with Itou, so I just decided “A woman it is!” LOL. Forgive this sap once again. Onegai?
OOC3: LOL.. I’m mixing up names.. Sorry Sagara it’s Harada.)