I ended up stopping by the precinct early that morning. I wanted Saya to research this man Kato, to find out what kinds of dealings he’s been involved in and who were the benefactors and who within the Meiji government he’s associated with or supported in the past. I purposely asked her not to involve Toshio-san, not because I do not trust him but because I’d rather not deal with the fall out if it turns out to be nothing. Just a hunch and a bunch of little coincidences that wouldn’t let my mind rest.
She did think it was rather out of left field when I asked her to speak to her contacts in Shimabara and the prostitution house involved in the Tanaka case. What did that have to do with it, she asked and then gave me a look and added, “You’re grasping at straws aren’t you? I understand it’s her but Hajime…”
And with that, all I could answer back was a curt, “Just get it done.” She bristled as I walked out. I’ll make it up to her later.
Standing around the platform I smoke as I wait for the Itachi. It’s chilly out, the sun not visible yet. I already bought us tickets so we don’t waste time but again I find myself waiting. I can’t stand this. No… I must get her back for her sake alone.
“Morning News! Kato group secures favorable trading agreements from the British!” A young boy waves the paper around.
“Boy give me copy.” I toss him a coin and proceed to read. It could be nothing or it could be -everything-.
But there’s less news about his trading company and instead, right there is a reward for Hide’s safe return. And my neck bristles. A bunch of coincideces, occupying the same places, the same time, the same -things-. He’s involved somehow.
I scan the area again impatiently for the weasel. What? Did she forget we’re leaving for Osaka?
(Misao)
“Thanks, mister,” I hop out of the carriage. Gramps was right that since I’m having to go in -regular- clothes today that I just can’t run, and, besides, Okon-san got up early to get me ready. So now I just look like a nice, middle-class girl who dresses discretely when traveling. Okon-san keeps up with this stuff, thankfully – what to wear and whatnot.
And besides, I still have my ninja stuff on -under-. Who knows what the day will bring?
There’s Saitou, looking around and he almost glares at me. “Look, there’s the train, pulling in now.” I wave down the ekiben man and order two before he can complain.
He’s holding a paper. “What’s in that?”
She’s dressed differently. I’d tease her a little but it’s just not in me today and instead I ended up with…
“What? Is your new “get-up” the reason why it took you so long?”
As soon as the train stopped and she got her ekiben, I pull her by the arm, inside. I want to get settled and then we can -go-.
“What’s in that?”
“She’s in the morning news. This Kato was very interested in her early this summer. I’m going to see him.”
I sit there tensely, pulling out my watch and look at the time. It shouldn’t take too long to get to Osaka. Thankfully the Kato Group has an address in Osaka so I can head there directly.
“What did Okina say?”
What? Is your new “get-up” the reason why it took you so long?
“Ravishing, aren’t I?” I grin a little, to keep things light. “But an Okashira should be ready for anything!” We have to fit in to wherever we’re going – ninja should be invisible, and ninja garb on a early morning train would attract attention.
I take the newspaper. “So why would this Kato guy set a reward for Hide-san? What about the dozens of women and girls who disappeared in Kansai over the past year?” But Saitou said that this man was interested in her… and 200 yen! That’s -major- money! And this picture won’t help – it’s a copy of the copy that was on the flyer… “this could be a picture of anyone,” I grumble.
What did Okina say?
“Oh! We do have someone there – we have a lot of former members who went their own way at the end of the shogunate when our mission changed. He’s now a manager over at the dockyards, so he may be able to help us find out something about the boat that came down the Yado River.” I look out the window, wishing the train would go faster.
“Kano… ” I look at the paper, furrowing my brow as I try to remember the name. “Oh! The Kano group. We have our… suspicions about them. They hire a lot of small workshops to make export goods – most are junk – but they have a factory west of Nijo Castle that has some heavy security. When asked, they say it’s a jewelry factory, but there’s plenty of gold and silver smiths in Kyoto who work perfectly well without gun-carrying guards.”
“Ravishing, aren’t I?” “But an Okashira should be ready for anything!”
I can only -groan-.
“So why would this Kato guy set a reward for Hide-san?
“I don’t know. He’s a known Shinsengumi “enthusiast”… And Hide was the closest person to Okita.” Of course I don’t think that’s enough of a reason. “He must have some other reason…” It doesn’t make sense that all of a sudden this man appears.
He’s now a manager over at the dockyards, so he may be able to help us find out something about the boat that came down the Yado River.”
“Can you manage by yourself? The only thing we need to know is who owns the boat and if there’s a manifest or an itinerary, both for the past week and for any -future- ones.”
If we split up, we can gain some lost time. And I can see what sort of man this Kato is, although I already have an idea. He’s likely another Kanryuu.
She talks about her suspicions and although I listen, I find I’m only slightly interested in that. I haven’t even found out where Hide is. “Why hasn’t the Oniwaban nor the Kyoto Police done anything about it?” Ah that sounded like I was accusing them, but I’m part of the police aren’t I? I should be more -interested-. “Sorry. I’ll look into it myself as soon as we secure Hide.”
I don’t know. He’s a known Shinsengumi “enthusiast”… And Hide was the closest person to Okita. He must have some other reason…
“A man like him – a rich man, who maybe isn’t used to being told no…” I look out the window, as we approach the outskirts of Osaka. “And if he’s a collector, maybe a famous girlfriend is the ultimate prize, if there are no actual Shinsengumi left. But didn’t the leader leave a wife and child?” It’s all a part of the intelligence that I’ve read over the years, but I thought aside from Saitou, there was no more Shinsengumi stuff left to worry about. Even if he was a particular fan of Okita, still… Hide-san?
Can you manage by yourself? The only thing we need to know is who owns the boat and if there’s a manifest or an itinerary, both for the past week and for any -future- ones
“Yes, I can do that. Where should we meet up, after? I assume you’re going to Kato’s?” I pull out the map that Gramps made notes on. “Ah, there’s a tea stand by the ruins of Osaka Castle. It’s run by someone he knows.” Oh, probably another “old flame” – that old dog!, I think, lovingly. “Would that work?”
Why hasn’t the Oniwaban nor the Kyoto Police done anything about it? Sorry. I’ll look into it myself as soon as we secure Hide
“Oh, we reported our suspicions to Toshio-san, but he later told us that some higher-up at the Interior Ministry told him that it was Customs business, since they only make goods for export. Which sounds like a bunch of bunk, but the police is a political organization so there’s often red tape with the Interior Ministry. We will look into it, once we have the Tanaka women settled – they are a more urgent need, after all.” I smile a little, “and as for you, Saitou, you’re one man, based in Tokyo – you can’t be everywhere. We have to do our part too.”
Out of my bag I fish out a pair of glasses. “These are remarkable – people always notice glasses, and not the face underneath. Great for city-based missions.”
“A man like him – a rich man, who maybe isn’t used to being told no…”. “And if he’s a collector, maybe a famous girlfriend is the ultimate prize, if there are no actual Shinsengumi left. But didn’t the leader leave a wife and child?”
“Perhaps you’re right about being told no.” But the rest… Hide as a trophy? I do not think so. There must be something else. He’s calling attention after all to himself with an announcement such as this one. “But that’s an ancillary reason.”
“Yes, I can do that. Where should we meet up, after? I assume you’re going to Kato’s?”
“I am going to Kato’s. I’ll meet you at the tea stand…” I look at the weasel, “But if you don’t hear from me, contact Saya. I had her looking into him. She’ll know what to do.”
She confirms my suspicions about the department. Toshio would not be the first to be told to drop an inquiry. I was supposed to drop the Tanaka case but I didn’t and thankfully Kawaji is a man who values results more than red tape. I simply not at her attempt to spare me from my other responsibilities.
“These are remarkable – people always notice glasses, and not the face underneath. Great for city-based missions.”
I chuckle a little. She does look -cute- in it. “You go do that. I’m going in as myself.”
The train finally arrives at the station. “Go beguile them with your feminine charms, weasel.”
(OOC: Saitou ends here)
Go beguile them with your feminine charms, weasel.
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah.”
“And be careful,” I say, to his retreating back as we head our separate ways on the station platform.
(OOC – Close)